Q&A with James E. Landen, Jr. ’10
Co-chair of the SMU Ignited Campaign Steering Committee for Athletics and president of the Mustang Club, James E. Landen Jr. ’10 has been the Texas market president of Security National Bank since August 2019. After graduating from the SMU Cox School of Business with a degree in finance, he worked at Bank of America and then Veritex Community Bank. As Mustang Club president, Landen oversees volunteer and donor efforts to support SMU Athletics, including more than 484 student-athletes, championship-caliber facilities and competitive programming.
Why do you feel Athletics are important to the University, and how do you see their role in higher education evolving in the future?
Athletics builds community – something that’s increasingly important in a modern world where creating bonds with people from a wide variety of backgrounds can be difficult. Many of us have fond memories of attending games with our families and friends, cheering on our favorite players and sharing in their victories together with friends and strangers alike. They give us something to root for. SMU Athletics create well-rounded experiences for our students as they pursue their academic and professional goals.
The University recently announced that it will enter the ACC this July. What does it mean for the University?
It’s a really exciting time to be involved with SMU Athletics, for alumni and for all our fans. The ACC is one of the three best athletic conferences in the country and clearly the best conference from an academic perspective, so our membership represents an endorsement of SMU’s ascent over the last three decades. Student-athletes, coaches, donors, faculty, staff and others have put in so much work and spirit to make this moment happen. Now we have an opportunity to reintroduce the University on the national stage so everyone can see how incredible SMU is. I am so grateful to all our donors, alumni and parents who are getting involved with the SMU Ignited campaign and the ACC Competitiveness Campaign so that we continue to excel – academically and athletically.
Your parents, brothers, uncles and several cousins also graduated from SMU. How has your relationship with the University changed as you have transitioned from family member to student, alumnus and now volunteer leader?
One of the great things about SMU is that there is a place for everyone: parents, children, siblings, students, friends. Here, we can all join together, engage as a community and contribute to work that will benefit future generations. It has been rewarding to see and be a part of the University’s growth. I particularly enjoy seeing the evolution of events I enjoyed attending as a student and becoming someone who helps create memorable experiences for today’s students. SMU truly offers a lifetime of opportunities.
What kind of involvement would you recommend to your fellow alumni or current students who aren’t sure where to start?
There are countless ways to get involved, whether you’re a new student or a Golden Mustang. All of us who volunteer on SMU committees can connect you to a staff member who can help you explore the ways that contributing your finances, skills and time can enhance the University – and enrich your own life. One great way to start is to help student-athletes and other students with networking or internship opportunities. That gives you an opportunity to make a world of difference in someone’s life. But whether you volunteer on an academic or special event committee; donate to Athletics, scholarships or facilties; or do something else, you have the power to make an impact.