“As second-generation Mustangs, being able to support the future of SMU and its students is something very close to Malcolm’s and my heart.”
Ann Marlow Holland ’82
Creating opportunities from locker room to classroom
Alumni gift furthers SMU’s vision for the future.
A generous principal gift from Ann Marlow Holland ’82 and C. Malcolm Holland, III ’82 will expand support for student-athletes, business students and key priorities across SMU. The couple’s gift, which comes during a time of significant change for higher education and collegiate athletics, will provide funds for immediate and long-term priorities at the Edwin L. Cox School of Business and SMU Athletics.
“We are grateful to the Hollands for their gift, which will heighten opportunities for SMU Cox and SMU Athletics and pave the way for future leaders,” said Todd Milbourn, Cox School of Business dean and Tolleson Chair in Business Leadership. “By increasing access to startup internships, the Hollands are helping entrepreneurially minded students gain hands-on learning they can apply to their business careers or their own current or future startups.”
The Hollands’ gift will advance the mission of the Cox School of Business through the SMU Cox Entrepreneurship Internship Program, providing for six full-time internships and 20 part-time internships each year for five years. Program participants will work with North Texas business startups, giving students firsthand experience in startup environments, as well as a chance to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. Additionally, the gift will support the SMU Fund for Cox, which provides resources to address the school’s most pressing needs as it prepares students to lead in a changing business environment.
“Ann and Malcolm Holland’s leadership and generosity reflect a deep commitment to the future of SMU and the success of our students. We are grateful for their investment in SMU Athletics and the Cox School of Business, which will create meaningful opportunities across campus,” said Director of Athletics Damon Evans. “Their support will have a lasting impact, helping our student-athletes succeed in competition, in the classroom and beyond graduation. We are honored by their continued commitment to SMU.”
Furthering SMU Athletics’ upward momentum, the Hollands’ gift provides generously for SMU Athletics through the Student-Athlete Benefit Fund, which provides expanded scholarship support and opportunities for revenue sharing and Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) advancement to SMU’s student-athletes. The gift will also support a new recovery space designed to provide Mustang student-athletes with premier resources to maximize performance, recovery and overall well-being. The Hollands’ support of these two initiatives underscores the vital role that Athletics plays in SMU’s continuing mission to support student development by fostering an environment of personal growth, individual dignity, academic rigor and student enrichment.
“As second-generation Mustangs, being able to support the future of SMU and its students is something very close to Malcolm’s and my heart,” said Ann Marlow Holland. “As SMU continues to push the limits of what is possible for higher education and collegiate athletics, we’re honored to be members of this vibrant community and excited to see how our gift and the gifts of our fellow alumni will help write the next chapter of SMU’s story.”
As children and siblings of SMU alumni, the Hollands have been members of Mustang Nation long before stepping foot on campus as first-year students. Together, the couple have maintained strong ties with SMU as both proud alumni and enthusiastic Mustang sports fans. Malcolm Holland further strenghtens that bond as a founding member of the Trinity Forest Golf Club, the home course for SMU’s golf teams. The couple’s first principal gift to the University reflects a lifelong connection to SMU and a shared belief in the University’s impact.
“Ann and I have always believed in the power of SMU to change lives and inspire greatness in its students,” said Malcolm Holland. “We’re proud to support programs that help students grow, knowing the positive impact that these programs have and the enduring lessons that will stay with these future leaders forever.”