Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom

Bridwell Institute @ Cox

The Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom is a research institute in the SMU Cox School of Business. The Institute was established in 2020 with the generous support of Mr. and Mrs. Tucker Bridwell (BBA ’73, MBA ’74). The Bridwell Institute continues and expands upon the mission of its predecessor, the William J. O’Neil Center for Global Markets and Freedom, “to study the impact of competitive market forces on freedom and prosperity in the global economy.” We are forever grateful for the support of William J. “Bill” O’Neil (BBA ’55) and his wife, Fay C. O’Neil for the O’Neil Center from 2008-2020.

$15 Million Gift Fueling the Future of Business


Gina and Tucker Bridwell’s $15 million gift to the Cox School of Business includes the establishment of the Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom. Hear SMU Board of Trustees Member and Cox Executive Board Vice-Chair Tucker Bridwell, SMU President R. Gerald Turner, and Cox School Dean Matthew B. Myers discuss the new Bridwell Institute and the tremendous impact this transformative gift will make, supporting the dialogue of economic freedom.  

 

 

  • Gift Announcement

    Fueling the Future of Business: Gina L. and Tucker S. Bridwell (’73 BBA, ’74 MBA) Commit $15 Million to the Cox School.



    President R. Gerald Turner presents a thank you gift to SMU Board of Trustees Member and Cox Executive Board Vice-Chair Tucker Bridwell to commemorate his $15 million gift to SMU and the Cox School of Business on Friday, Sept. 18.

    Also pictured: Matthew B. Myers, Dean of the Cox School, and David B. Miller, SMU Board Vice-Chair and Cox Executive Board Chair.

    Read the Full Announcement. 

     

  • A Message from the Dean

    The incredibly generous gift of Gina and Tucker Bridwell, naming the Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom at the Cox School of Business, is a landmark event for SMU. This Institute allows us to influence the academic debate by generating and sponsoring high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship and research related to economic freedom. In addition, it enables the engagement of students regarding the ideas of economic freedom through coursework, reading groups, networks with business executives, and other programs. The Bridwell Institute elevates and enlivens the discussion and debate about economic freedom in the wider DFW community, and encourages teaching about “free enterprise and its benefits” in schools in Texas and beyond through economic education programs. Read the Full Message. 

  • Mission and Vision

    The mission of the Bridwell Institute is to foster the scholarly study and intellectual discussion of the nature, consequences, and causes of economic freedom in our local, state, national, and international communities.

    In support of our mission, the Bridwell Institute seeks to:

    • Influence the academic debate by generating and sponsoring high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship related to the nature, consequences, and causes of economic freedom.
    • Become a leader on the SMU campus by engaging students about the ideas of economic freedom through reading groups and related programs.
    • Elevate and enliven the discussion and debate about economic freedom in the wider DFW community.
    • Encourage teaching about “free enterprise and its benefits” in schools in Texas and beyond through our economic education programs.

  • Initiatives

    • Economic Education - In addition to the classroom teaching of our faculty, the Bridwell Institute is directly involved in several economic education efforts.  
    • Research - Through our Annual Report essays and work on the Fraser Institute's Economic Freedom of the World and Economic Freedom of North America reports the Bridwell Institute aims to become a leading research center on the nature of, causes, and consequences of economic freedom.

     

    		 EFW 2018 EFNA 2018
    Annual Reports Economic Freedom
    of the World    		 Economic Freedom
    of North America

  • Connect with Us

    Physical Address Mailing Address Media Contact Information
    6212 Bishop Boulevard
    282 Crow Building
    Dallas, Texas 75275    		 P.O. Box 750333
    Dallas, Texas 75275    		 Anna Martinez
    Assistant Director of Media Relations
    Phone: 214-768-4474

    For all other inquiries please contact us by email at bridwell-institute@smu.edu or by phone at 214-768-4210.

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