O’Donnell Foundation makes landmark commitment to launch two new models of academic excellence at SMU

A landmark commitment from the O’Donnell Foundation will launch a first-of-its-kind interdisciplinary energy program at SMU and establish a new academic honors fund to recruit, develop and graduate the next generation of exceptional scholars across high-impact fields. 

The value of the historic investment, one of the largest ever granted to SMU, could exceed $60 million once fully funded. SMU will leverage this support to establish a new Energy Science, Innovation and Enterprise program – an interdisciplinary, degree-granting hub that combines business, engineering and sciences to prepare future leaders for an evolving energy future. Additionally, the commitment will create the O’Donnell Academic Honors Fund. Through this fund, exceptional students in high-impact majors will receive scholarships and a prestigious educational experience, strengthening academic excellence across those disciplines.

Together, the new models will set the standard for academic excellence at SMU, creating centers of excellence and strengthening student quality in areas of high-impact and emerging fields. Students will begin taking advantage of these new opportunities in fall 2026, within one year of the initiative’s conception in partnership with the O’Donnell Foundation – a rapid move from vision to impact. 

“The generous commitment from the O’Donnell Foundation allows SMU to build programs that reflect where the world is headed, preparing our graduates for meaningful leadership in fields that shape our economy and future,” President Jay Hartzell said. “By bringing brilliant faculty and standout students together in an environment that blends research, innovation and real-world experience, we are creating opportunities that will profoundly impact the city of Dallas, the state of Texas, our nation, and beyond.”

The investment accelerates SMU’s ability to recruit top students and faculty, create powerful learning experiences, and connect talent directly with the companies and industries shaping the future. These efforts around talent, curricular innovation and industry engagement epitomize some of the top emerging priorities within SMU’s next strategic plan, which is expected to be launched to the public in spring 2026.

“This partnership will empower students to realize their full potential and equip them to lead with purpose,” said Rachel Davis Mersey, executive vice president and provost. “It strengthens our academic community, fuels innovation across disciplines and builds a powerful pipeline of talent ready to make an impact. It is a transformational initiative that reflects SMU’s mission and points us boldly toward the future.”

Over the past three years, the O’Donnell Foundation has committed nearly $100 million total to SMU. In 2023, a $30 million gift supported the future of technological innovation and education at the University, championing meaningful research and preparing students in engineering and other fields for a data-driven world. The gift included endowment and operational gifts for the O’Donnell Data Science and Research Computing Institute and the Initiative for Digital Innovation in Engineering and Computer Science in the Lyle School of Engineering, funding 10 new endowed academic positions. In 2022, a $2 million gift endowed a position to lead an emerging, conceptual data science institute, which ultimately became the Peter O’Donnell, Jr. Director of the Data Science and Research Computing Institute. Most recently, in October, the Foundation invested $50 million with the Dallas College Foundation to boost student success at North Texas colleges and universities, including SMU. 

“This gift reflects the O’Donnell Foundation’s commitment to developing exceptional talent and advancing the research and innovation that will shape the future,” said William T. Solomon, O’Donnell Foundation president and CEO. “We believe strongly in SMU’s vision and momentum, and we are proud to support the University as it prepares the next generation of leaders in energy and other critical fields.”

A national model for centers of excellence

Rising global demand and evolving technologies require leaders who blend scientific, engineering and business insight with digital expertise and the ability to adapt quickly. SMU’s new Energy Science, Innovation and Enterprise program will be the first to use the new model for academic excellence, creating a pipeline of leaders prepared for the sector by:

• Bringing together leading faculty from Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, and Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences to offer an integrated honors-level bachelor’s degree, which leverages the schools’ strengths in energy management and finance, smart systems and technology, chemistry, earth sciences, and public policy.
• Recruiting SMU’s first Eminent Endowed Chair in any field, with deep expertise and impact in energy to help lead the initiative, plus a Professor of Practice to advance teaching and industry engagement.
• Offering an immersive first-year summer experience with industry partners focusing on real-world, multidisciplinary challenges.

Graduates of the prestigious honors-level program will be prepared for careers in energy investment and finance, oil and gas, renewables, regulation and technology management, entrepreneurship, and more. 

SMU is uniquely positioned to become a national leader in energy studies through its faculty expertise, interdisciplinary research centers and high-performance computing resources. The University’s network of highly engaged alumni, trustees and industry advisors creates opportunities for partnerships, internships and applied projects across the sector. 

Advancing academic excellence to recruit top performing talent

High-achieving students and their families want a clear path from academic excellence to career success, supported by meaningful mentorship, experiential learning and individual support. The O’Donnell Academic Honors Fund will provide scholars with a distinctive educational experience from the beginning of their time at SMU. 

“The Academic Honors Fund creates a powerful pathway for extraordinary students to thrive at SMU,” Mersey said. “By pairing rigorous academics with individualized support and real-world experiences, we will build a dynamic pipeline of talent and elevate the undergraduate experience across the University.”

O’Donnell Scholars will be part of a highly personalized, honors-style learning community and will engage in small-sized, high-impact courses taught by some of SMU’s most distinguished faculty. Starting with three programs – biology, chemistry, and applied physiology and health management – 20 outstanding undergraduates from each major will receive scholarships, dedicated career advising and mentorship. Additionally, each target major will receive four years of seed funding for new faculty and a career counselor. In their third year, scholars will participate in a signature experience, such as fully funded research assistantships, specialized internships, industry projects or global opportunities tied directly to their major. The initiative will enhance the experience for everyone in these majors through new programming, applied learning opportunities and industry connections. 

This flexible model will allow SMU to rotate future investment into other high-demand fields such as data science, engineering or the arts, aligning with the University’s strengths and evolving workforce needs.

“The O’Donnell Foundation has a remarkable legacy of investing in ideas that change lives and strengthen communities,” said Brad Cheves, senior vice president for Development and External Affairs. “Through their generosity, we can accelerate our efforts to recruit distinguished students and faculty, build innovative academic programs and deepen our engagement with industry in meaningful ways. We are profoundly grateful for their trust in SMU and their commitment to expanding opportunity through education.”