May 5, 2006

RICHARD WARE ELECTED VICE CHAIR
OF SMU BOARD OF TRUSTEES

DALLAS (SMU) — Amarillo banker and civic leader Richard C. Ware II was unanimously elected vice chair of Southern Methodist University’s Board of Trustees at the Board meeting on May 5. Ware is president of Amarillo National Bank.

“Richard Ware has given dedicated service to SMU through the years as an undergraduate student, alumnus, parent, and member of the Board of Trustees,” said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. “As a graduate of SMU and the father of three SMU graduates, he brings valuable perspectives to the Board. And as a West Texas leader, he represents an important constituency of the University. We look forward to his leadership role as vice chair of the Board.”

Ware served on the SMU Board of Trustees from 1980 to 1992 and returned to the board in 1994. His trustee leadership includes serving as chair of the committees on Trusteeship, Student Affairs, and Buildings and Grounds. He served as chair of the SMU Annual Fund campaign in 2004 and 2005. SMU students selected him as Outstanding Trustee of the Year in 1987, 1995, and 1998.

Ware earned a B.B.A. degree with honors from SMU in 1968 and later received his M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. As an SMU undergraduate, he served on the Student Senate, as Homecoming chair, and as president of his fraternity.

Ware’s current civic leadership includes service as chair of the Amarillo Area Foundation, Center City Redevelopment Committee, United Way Campaign, Harrington Foundations, and other civic boards. His honors include the Silver Star Award for Community Service from the Amarillo Advertising Federation in 1995. Texas Monthly magazine named the Ware family as the Texas Bankers of the Century in 1999.

###

05173-nr-5/05/06-pl