Newsroom

June 12, 2008

Dear Members of the SMU Community:


Liz Williams

For almost 20 years, Liz Williams has deftly overseen the financial well being of SMU, helping steer the University to the strongest fiscal period in its history. Now, after nine years as SMU treasurer and 10 years previously as vice president for business and finance/treasurer, Liz will soon retire to spend more time with her grandchildren and on various charitable pursuits. She has graciously agreed to continue as University treasurer until her successor is named sometime before the end of this calendar year.

While we wish her all the best and know that she will enjoy seeing more of her family, we will miss her devoted service to SMU. As treasurer, she has been responsible for managing SMU’s endowment and planned giving assets. Since she came to the University in 1989, SMU’s endowment has grown from $351 million to $1.4 billion – a testament certainly to our fundraising efforts but also to Liz’s smart stewardship.

Previously, as vice president for business and finance/treasurer, Liz oversaw all fiscal operations, treasury functions, human resource management, information technology services, most auxiliary and business services, and physical plant operations and management. Her institutional knowledge is vast, and I’m grateful she has agreed to stay on through the hiring of a new treasurer.

This fall at a farewell event, we’ll have a chance to thank Liz for her service. In the meantime, please join me in congratulating her on a job well done and in wishing her well in the years ahead.

R. Gerald Turner
SMU President

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