Q&A

Bill Armstrong ’82 and
Liz Martin Armstrong ’82

Recipients of the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award, Bill Armstrong ’82 and Liz Martin Armstrong ’82 are lifelong Mustangs. Meeting as first-year students in Geology 101, they went on to become the proud parents of future alumni Lindsey ’10 and Leigh ’11. Over the years, Bill and Liz have served the University on various boards and committees and contributed to initiatives like Armstrong Fieldhouse and the Vision 2025 Football Support Fund.

Why have you been so active at SMU ever since you were students?

Liz: Even after graduation, our hearts never really left the Hilltop. Our experiences as students, parents and community members have meant so much to us and to our family. We’ve been proud to support the new experiences, relationships and opportunities that SMU provides.

Bill, you serve as an SMU trustee and cochair of the Campaign Steering Committee for Athletics. Liz serves on the Development and External Affairs Standing Committee of the SMU Board and co-chairs the Campaign Steering Committee for Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences. Why has volunteering been important to you?

Bill: SMU helped shape us, and it has been a source of pride for us and for our children. Serving SMU is a way to give back and make sure the instruction and the experiences that gave so much to us will continue to impact future generations.

You’ve contributed $2 million to the Vision 2025 Football Support Fund. Why is this fund important for SMU Athletics and the University?

Bill: The landscape of college athletics, particularly football, gets more competitive every year. The Vision 2025 Football Support Fund will help SMU bring to the Hilltop the best student-athletes, coaches and equipment, supporting our student-athletes as they excel in the classroom and on the field. We are proud to support the impact SMU Athletics makes in the lives of our student-athletes and our community.

You’ve been heavily involved in SMU’s development, contributing to the Armstrong Commons, to programming and scholarships in the Meadows School and Dedman College, and to the improvement of the SMU-in-Taos campus. What do you see for the future of SMU, as alumni, donors and parents?

Liz: College is such an important experience, and with the current SMU Ignited fundraising campaign, SMU is poised to offer even greater chances for educational development and personal enrichment for our students. With the support of our fellow alumni, parents and donors, the future of SMU has never looked brighter.