SMU donors launch new Athletics giving society
A game-changing $50 million gift has established the SMU Boulevard Society, uniting visionary donors who are accelerating the ascent of SMU Athletics as an elite athletics program and inviting Mustang fans and friends to join.
A winning strategy
SMU LOOKS TO THE FUTURE WITH HELP FROM MUSTANG NATION
With help from the Mustang community, SMU is preparing to write its next great chapter. University leaders are developing a strategic plan to empower SMU to move faster, reach higher and remain rooted in a culture that continues to redefine what excellence looks like.
Q&A: Shilo Brooks
The president and CEO of the George W. Bush Presidential Center offers insights into what makes a good leader, why institutions like the Bush Center are crucial to public education and policy, and how vital relationships with SMU and Dallas fuel a bright future.
Mustang Momentum
The University continues to strengthen its leadership team with the addition of Shontel Grumhaus, senior vice president for Development and External Affairs, and the naming of Michael Harris as Leon Simmons Endowed Dean of the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development.
Seeking answers
For Richter International Research Fellow Alexandra Lahiri ’26, what began as a childhood story told by her grandmother became a personal mission to uncover what really happened to her great-great-grandfather in Nazi-occupied Kalavryta, Greece.
Innovative pathways to success
Beginning in fall 2026, the University will offer two new undergraduate degree programs in game development and interdisciplinary studies that will prepare students for careers in diverse fields and emerging industries.
Discovering her passion
Discover how a pandemic-era shift in perspective led doctoral student Juliana Rodriguez Antonio’s ’26 to new scientific findings.
Donors secure the future of legal clinic
Gifts totaling more than $6.05 million from the Stanton Foundation and 25 additional donors will endow and sustain the work of the First Amendment Clinic in SMU Dedman School of Law.
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Research finds creative solutions
Recent examples of SMU faculty and students consistently working to tackle large-scale challenges include making meaningful research more visible online, enhancing how science and engineering are taught in Texas, and developing powerful and portable acoustic sensors on a large scale.
Nothing but net
Through a planned gift, alumnus and former Mustang basketball player Jay Hollyman ’75 is giving back to the very programs that once supported his time at SMU.
A reenvisioned Founders’ Day Weekend will take place April 9–13, expanding our celebration of the University’s past and bright future. The wide variety of events for current students, alumni, prospective families and friends includes a concert, alumni and student events, PerunaPalooza, and more.
Honoring accomplished alumni
The annual SMU Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize recipients for their significant contributions to philanthropy, business and civic life. On October 30, President Jay Hartzell (left) and Alumni Board Chair Laura Guerin Howard ’00 (right) celebrated award winners Trevor D. Rees-Jones ’78, Sana Merchant ’11 (Emerging Leader Award), Rev. Paul L. Rasmussen ’04, Suzanne S. Youngkin ’89 and David S. Huntley ’80.
May commencement to feature new traditions and venue
All-University Commencement is a time of excitement for the future of our new graduates, proud memories of their accomplishments, and gratitude for the support of friends and families. This year’s ceremony will be particularly special with new traditions, venue and Commencement speaker Eric Dickerson ’82.
Happenings on the Hilltop (and beyond)
March 21
Spears Lecture with Kevin O’Leary
March 30
Beyond the Hilltop: Washington, D.C.
March 31
Meadows at the Meyerson
April 6
Beyond the Hilltop: Atlanta
April 9 – 13
Founders’ Day Weekend
April 13
Beyond the Hilltop: New York
May 16
Commencement
July 16 – 19
SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute