Q&A with Laura Guerin Howard ’00 and William J. Howard ’00

Laura Guerin Howard ’00, a principal in EY’s consulting practice, and William J. Howard ’00, CEO and founder at Senderra Specialty Pharmacy, are proud SMU alumni who have generously supported the University through their leadership and giving to the SMU Ignited campaign. An East Texas native, Laura Howard serves as chair of the SMU Alumni Board’s Mustangs Give Back Committee, a member of the Cox School Alumni Board and the finance advisor for the SMU Pi Beta Phi Chapter. She formerly served on the Latino Leadership Initiative Advisory Board. A former president of the Mustang Club and a Louisiana transplant, Will Howard sits on the SMU Ignited Campaign Steering Committee for Athletics. Both have previously served on the Class of 2000 Reunion Committee.

As alumni, you have both remained closely involved with SMU. How have you seen the University transform since graduating?
Will: Transformation requires vision, leadership and investment – things we have witnessed in abundance. Ford Stadium and the Boulevard opened right after we graduated, pulling us back to campus as young alumni. We have seen the SMU skyline change with the additions of the Residential Commons, numerous academic and athletic facilities, and now, the new Garry Weber End Zone Complex and the renovated Cox School of Business.

Since we have become more involved on campus, we have seen the vibrant transformation in both the academic programs offered and the student experience. Most recently, SMU’s research initiatives highlight how the University continues to build a successful long-term path through innovation and discovery.

Together, you have supported both SMU Athletics and student scholarships. What led you to support these initiatives?
Laura: Because I was a scholarship recipient myself, we are passionate about opening opportunities for students to access the same education and network from which we benefited. Financial constraints should never be an obstacle for a high-achieving future Mustang.

In addition, we have witnessed firsthand the hard work and drive of our student-athletes. We want to make sure that athletic commitments don’t hinder their opportunities for internships or work experiences that other students are offered.

Overall, we support these initiatives to help break down barriers for students so they can enjoy the full benefits of an SMU degree.

SMU is set to enter the ACC this July. Will, as former president of the Mustang Club, what role do you see this move playing in the future of SMU Athletics and University academics?
Will: SMU joining the ACC is a byproduct of purposeful investments that have been made. It will be a key milestone in the University’s future growth. Athletically, it provides a platform for student-athletes to compete and succeed at the highest levels. It raises SMU’s national profile and aligns our program with those of other high-quality institutions.

For students and alumni, it will drive engagement and school spirit as we welcome (and beat) football powerhouses in Ford Stadium and introduce Carolina blue bloods to Moody Magic. Finally, it will help SMU attract the best students throughout the country and drive additional investment into both athletic and academic programs.

This May at the Cox School of Business, we will dedicate the David B. Miller Business Quadrangle. Laura, as a member of the Cox Alumni Board, how will the investments in enhanced facilities impact the future of business education in Dallas and North Texas?
Laura: With the tremendous growth in corporations and startups entering the Dallas-Fort Worth market, this poses a wonderful opportunity for Cox students. We have desperately needed the infrastructure and facilities to open more connections between the broader Dallas-Fort Worth network and our students and faculty. These investments and enhanced experiences will produce well-rounded Cox graduates who are more competitive in the job market.

What drives your support for diverse areas across campus and inspires you most about SMU’s future?
Laura: As chair of the Alumni Board’s Mustangs Give Back Committee, I strongly encourage our alumni to discover their why as it relates to SMU and their personal giving. Finding that passion is key. Whether it was a student organization, a professor, a degree program or a scholarship that made a positive impact, we all have experiences that made a difference for us, personally and professionally. Giving back to your why is a way to pay it forward for future Mustangs who will benefit from these experiences for years to come.

Will: SMU has served as the backdrop for our adult lives. We met and fell in love on the Hilltop and have raised our two daughters on the Boulevard. Some of our most cherished relationships are with our community of friends from SMU. The education we received and the ongoing support of the SMU network has helped us experience success in all areas of our lives. SMU is a key part of our individual and collective story.

We do not think that our experience is unique, nor should it be. But we do believe that SMU is unique. What SMU offers to its students, alumni and the vast communities it serves – in Dallas and around the world – needs to be amplified and accessible so more people can benefit from its impact.