ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2023 Throughout the year, SMU celebrated the achievements of our alumni, interdisciplinary research that advances many fields of knowledge, and the academic and athletic excellence of our students. Two years into our $1.5 billion campaign for impact, SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow, we remain grateful to our donors for the many ways they empower the current and future accomplishments of our community.
A groundbreaking collaboration between AT&T and SMU began delivering high-level training, practical experience and potential employment offers in the field of data science for University students participating in a new summer “boot camp” and data science scholars program. The program includes eight weeks of classroom study where students gain experience with state-of-the-art data science methods and tools and real-world application to big data.
The band played at the D-Day Memorial Parade in Sainte-Mère-Église in Normandy, France, and in ceremonies at the American Cemetery in Brittany and the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach. The trip was made possible by lead gifts from Scott J. McLean ’78 and William Green ’69 and Dianne Green ’70, as well as support from Ray L. Hunt ’65 and the late Edwin L. Cox, Sr. ’42, among others.
A three-year $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation supports SMU DataArts, a national center for arts research.
The SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute returns following the COVID-19 hiatus to offer participants a chance to explore the culture, art and history of northern New Mexico and to enjoy a weekend filled with educational courses and engaging activities.
The band played at the D-Day Memorial Parade in Sainte-Mère-Église in Normandy, France, and in ceremonies at the American Cemetery in Brittany and the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach. The trip was made possible by lead gifts from Scott J. McLean ’78 and William Green ’69 and Dianne Green ’70, as well as support from Ray L. Hunt ’65 and the late Edwin L. Cox, Sr. ’42, among others.
A three-year $1 million grant from the Mellon Foundation supports SMU DataArts, a national center for arts research.
The SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute returns following the COVID-19 hiatus to offer participants a chance to explore the culture, art and history of northern New Mexico and to enjoy a weekend filled with educational courses and engaging activities.
In the spring of 2022, SMU launched the Access SMU scholarship in an effort to break financial barriers to college entry and graduation. More than 250 returning and first-year undergraduates from Texas families with limited incomes were awarded Access SMU scholarships for the 2022-23 school year. In addition to meeting financial requirements, such as being eligible for Federal Pell Grants, the students also surpass a host of merit-based requirements.
A groundbreaking new addition to SMU’s financial assistance offerings, Access SMU scholarships are supported by the Opportunity SMU Fund, through which donors invest in student recruitment and retention. These donors are strengthening a wide variety of scholarship and financial aid programs across campus.
AT&T Trustee and Chief Compliance Officer David S. Huntley ’80 advocates for student success initiatives as a member of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges Council.
Inspired by his late grandmother’s fight with Parkinson’s disease, a neurological condition severely affecting her motor functions, Raleigh Dewan ’23 searched for a way to help those with the condition to regain a sense of independence and dignity. In particular, he thought about mealtime, which for his family centered around his grandmother’s extravagant and delicious Southern dishes. Supported by donor-funded programs, Dewan, fellow Mustang Mason Morland ’24 and Johns Hopkins student Emily Javedan started a medical-tech startup named for its core product, the SteadiSpoonTM.
In support of the University’s mission to fuel excellence in legal and graduate education and leadership, SMU welcomes two new academic deans to the Hilltop: Robin Poston, Dean of the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies" and "Jason P. Nance, Judge James Noel Dean at Dedman School of Law.
Downtown is aglow in red and blue, honoring the more than century-long connection between Dallas and SMU. It provides an exciting setting for the football video “Same Pony, New Express,” which features SMU legends Eric Dickerson ’84, Craig James ’83 and Lance McIlhenny ’84, SMU Head Football Coach Rhett Lashlee and members of the team.
Inspired by his late grandmother’s fight with Parkinson’s disease, a neurological condition severely affecting her motor functions, Raleigh Dewan ’23 searched for a way to help those with the condition to regain a sense of independence and dignity. In particular, he thought about mealtime, which for his family centered around his grandmother’s extravagant and delicious Southern dishes. Supported by donor-funded programs, Dewan, fellow Mustang Mason Morland ’24 and Johns Hopkins student Emily Javedan started a medical-tech startup named for its core product, the SteadiSpoonTM.
In support of the University’s mission to fuel excellence in legal and graduate education and leadership, SMU welcomes two new academic deans to the Hilltop: Robin Poston, Dean of the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies and Jason P. Nance, Judge James Noel Dean at Dedman School of Law.
Downtown is aglow in red and blue, honoring the more than century-long connection between Dallas and SMU. It provides an exciting setting for the football video “Same Pony, New Express,” which features SMU legends Eric Dickerson ’84, Craig James ’83 and Lance McIlhenny ’84, SMU Head Football Coach Rhett Lashlee and members of the team.
Paving the way to the future of visual arts education on the Hilltop, the SMU Meadows School of the Arts celebrated the dedication of its historic transformation of the visual arts facilities. Donors led by The Meadows Foundation, Gene and Jerry Jones, Nancy C. Rogers and Richard R. Rogers, and G. Marlyne Sexton and family will fuel creative discovery by future generations of artists, visionaries and scholars from across the world.
SMU Dedman School of Law’s Deason Center receives $5 million combined from local and national philanthropies for continued legal defense research and advocacy.
An anonymous $5 million gift will support residential programs that create a vibrant campus that sparks growth, discovery and community. In recognition of the gift, SMU renames upper-division residence Daniel House to Thomas House.
The Cox School of Business’ Folsom Institute for Real Estate launches the Cox Real Estate Impact Investment Fund, made possible by several SMU donors, including a $1 million lead gift from Mimi Vanderstraaten and William H. Vanderstraaten ’82.
SMU Dedman School of Law’s Deason Center receives $5 million combined from local and national philanthropies for continued legal defense research and advocacy.
An anonymous $5 million gift will support residential programs that create a vibrant campus that sparks growth, discovery and community. In recognition of the gift, SMU renames upper-division residence Daniel House to Thomas House.
The Cox School of Business’ Folsom Institute for Real Estate launches the Cox Real Estate Impact Investment Fund, made possible by several SMU donors, including a $1 million lead gift from Mimi Vanderstraaten and William H. Vanderstraaten ’82.
SMU is expanding its opportunities for collaboration in innovative biotech research by joining Pegasus Park, the centerpiece of a 23-acre mixed-use office campus for biotech firms and nonprofit organizations. Pegasus Park is within minutes of downtown Dallas and the UT Southwestern Medical District. At Pegasus Park, which is anticipated to finalize construction in 2024, SMU researchers from a wide array of disciplines – including biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, education and business – will participate in research, development and entrepreneurial activities under the SMU Institute for Computational Biosciences.
Seeking to quantify and minimize bias in artificial intelligence systems, the SMU AT&T Center for Virtualization launched the Intelligent Systems and Bias Examination Lab, or ISaBEL. Working with industry partner Pangiam, a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI), the lab works to understand how AI systems, such as facial recognition algorithms, perform on diverse populations.
A $5 million gift from entrepreneurs Elisabeth Martin Armstrong ’82 and SMU Trustee William D. Armstrong ’82 furthers the academic and research excellence of the SMU Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences by endowing the school’s dean position, renaming it the Elisabeth Martin Armstrong Dean.
Through a $5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., Wesley Theological Seminary, in collaboration with SMU Perkins School of Theology, develops new non-degree courses and certificates for pastors.
SMU celebrates the achievements and contributions of alumni who receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor the University bestows to graduates. Recipients of the 2022 awards include Shonn Evans Brown ’95, ’98; C.J. “Don” Donnally, Jr. ’67, ’68; John Phelan ’86; Thear Sy Suzuki ’96; and Emerging Leader Award recipient Emily K. Graham ’07.
Seeking to quantify and minimize bias in artificial intelligence systems, the SMU AT&T Center for Virtualization launched the Intelligent Systems and Bias Examination Lab, or ISaBEL. Working with industry partner Pangiam, a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI), the lab works to understand how AI systems, such as facial recognition algorithms, perform on diverse populations.
A $5 million gift from entrepreneurs Elisabeth Martin Armstrong ’82 and SMU Trustee William D. Armstrong ’82 furthers the academic and research excellence of the SMU Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences by endowing the school’s dean position, renaming it the Elisabeth Martin Armstrong Dean.
Through a $5 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., Wesley Theological Seminary, in collaboration with SMU Perkins School of Theology, develops new non-degree courses and certificates for pastors.
SMU celebrates the achievements and contributions of alumni who receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor the University bestows to graduates. Recipients of the 2022 awards include Shonn Evans Brown ’95, ’98; C.J. “Don” Donnally, Jr. ’67, ’68; John Phelan ’86; Thear Sy Suzuki ’96; and Emerging Leader Award recipient Emily K. Graham ’07.
For more than a decade, undergraduate students from Meadows School of the Arts have been composing and recording music and voiceover for games designed and produced by graduate students at SMU Guildhall. That perfect harmony was amplified thanks to a $2,500 Engaged Learning grant, which enabled 32 musicians plus a composer to take part in the first live orchestra recording session in the history of the collaboration. Three ensembles gathered across two days to record the pieces.
As a first-year student, Stuyvie Coleman ’21 seemed to be living a normal, cheerful life. But like many college students his age, he needed professional help with mental health and substance abuse issues. Now an alumnus, Coleman helped start an endowment that makes it easier for more students to access wellness resources they need.
A gift from The Cain Foundation endows and names the Cain Denius Business Law Boot Camp, housed within the Robert B. Rowling Center for Business Law and Leadership at the SMU Dedman School of Law.
Over 150 students and alumni endow a scholarship in recognition of the late Chester John “Don” Donnally, Jr. ’67, ’68, honoring his decades of generosity and dedication.
As a first-year student, Stuyvie Coleman ’21 seemed to be living a normal, cheerful life. But like many college students his age, he needed professional help with mental health and substance abuse issues. Now an alumnus, Coleman helped start an endowment that makes it easier for more students to access wellness resources they need.
A gift from The Cain Foundation endows and names the Cain Denius Business Law Boot Camp, housed within the Robert B. Rowling Center for Business Law and Leadership at the SMU Dedman School of Law.
Over 150 students and alumni endow a scholarship in recognition of the late Chester John “Don” Donnally, Jr. ’67, ’68, honoring his decades of generosity and dedication.
SMU celebrated the groundbreaking of the Garry Weber End Zone Complex, the expansion and renovation project for Gerald J. Ford Stadium. The project was launched in January 2022 through the largest gift in the history of SMU Athletics from the Garry Weber Foundation, established by former Mustang football letterman Garry A. Weber ’58. The groundbreaking also launched the third phase of fundraising for the project, seeking the remaining $20 million needed to complete the new complex.
A $1 million gift from Belle Stumberg Berg ’71 and Donald A. Berg ’70, ’77 establishes the Belle and Donald Berg Endowed Research Excellence Fund in the Lyle School of Engineering, providing financial support for the research needs of the school’s faculty.
Suku Nair, University Distinguished Professor in the Lyle School’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and founding director of SMU’s AT&T Center for Virtualization, is named inaugural vice provost for research and chief innovation officer.
Meadows faculty and alumni showcase their artistic, musical and creative talents across New York City throughout the month.
Clark Hunt ’87 presents the keynote address at SMU’s December Commencement, offering his years of insight as a philanthropist, community volunteer and sports business leader.
A $1 million gift from Belle Stumberg Berg ’71 and Donald A. Berg ’70, ’77 establishes the Belle and Donald Berg Endowed Research Excellence Fund in the Lyle School of Engineering, providing financial support for the research needs of the school’s faculty.
Suku Nair, University Distinguished Professor in the Lyle School’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and founding director of SMU’s AT&T Center for Virtualization, is named inaugural vice provost for research and chief innovation officer.
Meadows faculty and alumni showcase their artistic, musical and creative talents across New York City throughout the month.
Clark Hunt ’87 presents the keynote address at SMU’s December Commencement, offering his years of insight as a philanthropist, community volunteer and sports business leader.
Since its opening on April 25, 2013, the George W. Bush Presidential Center has enhanced SMU in a myriad of ways. It has welcomed nearly two million visitors to peruse art and history exhibitions, attend forums and lectures, participate in academic fellowships and work together on research projects and policy initiatives that benefit communities around the world.
“SMU’s partnership with the Bush Center has transformed the Mustang experience for the better, offering unparalleled opportunities for education and engagement,” said R. Gerald Turner, SMU president.
An anonymous $1 million commitment to the Perkins School of Theology provides students who are part of the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church funding to prepare for faithful leadership in an ever-changing world.
SMU Perkins School of Theology names Bishop Michael McKee ’78 dean ad interim in addition to his recent appointment as the Perkins Bishop in Residence.
A landmark $20 million gift from Mary and Richard Templeton, recognized leaders in Dallas philanthropy and technology, will strengthen the future of education and leadership at the SMU Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering. Their gift will fund strategic initiatives for research and educational access, and name and endow the school’s dean position.
SMU honored the civil and social significance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a Texas historical marker commemorating his 1957 address to a packed house in McFarlin Auditorium. Featuring SMU trustees, community members and alumni, the event – much like King’s address – was made possible by the dedication and future-focused integrity of SMU students.
The ambitious renovation and expansion of the Cox School of Business is making steady progress toward transformed spaces to inspire students, welcome visitors and promote new ways of approaching opportunities and challenges.
Honoring the late Paul Layne ’76, Mustang football superfan and beloved SMU alumnus, a $250,000 gift from Layne’s longtime friend Tom Nelson established the Paul Layne 542 Endowed Excellence Fund for Spirit, the largest-ever endowed fund to support SMU spirit programs.
The ambitious renovation and expansion of the Cox School of Business is making steady progress toward transformed spaces to inspire students, welcome visitors and promote new ways of approaching opportunities and challenges.
SMU honored the civil and social significance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a Texas historical marker commemorating his 1957 address to a packed house in McFarlin Auditorium. Featuring SMU trustees, community members and alumni, the event – much like King’s address – was made possible by the dedication and future-focused integrity of SMU students.
The ambitious renovation and expansion of the Cox School of Business is making steady progress toward transformed spaces to inspire students, welcome visitors and promote new ways of approaching opportunities and challenges.
Honoring the late Paul Layne ’76, Mustang football superfan and beloved SMU alumnus, a $250,000 gift from Layne’s longtime friend Tom Nelson established the Paul Layne 542 Endowed Excellence Fund for Spirit, the largest-ever endowed fund to support SMU spirit programs.
With the help of a graduate assistantship from an endowment created by Mary and Rich Templeton, Khengdauliu Chawang ’24 has developed a small, disposable pH detector to monitor food spoilage in real time. Creating the device was personal for Chawang, a Lyle School of Engineering Ph.D. candidate from Nagaland, a remote region in India that relies heavily on agricultural crops.
Students like Mary Cabanas Cardenas ’23 can relieve the impact of widespread teacher resignations. Cabanas, who has planned to teach since eighth grade, will enter the tough profession with her eyes wide open, thanks to SMU’s Simmons School of Education and Human Development. Cabanas is the recipient of the Noyce Teacher Scholarship, which commits her to teach math at a high-need school after graduation.
Dallas-Fort Worth business leader and entrepreneur Jack Knox ’60, ’63 gives $11 million to SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow and encourages others to support the University.
SMU community members, students, alumni, faculty and staff raise over $5.1 million for more than 250 causes across the Hilltop.
A $2.5 million gift from both the Deason Foundation, established by SMU supporter and friend Darwin A. Deason, and his son Douglas R. Deason will support engineering and cyber security research and development within the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering.
SMU names Nader Jalili the Mary and Richard Templeton Dean of the Lyle School of Engineering, and Amanda W. Dotseth ’06 the Linda P. and William Custard Director of the Meadows Museum and Centennial Chair at Meadows School of the Arts.
Dallas-Fort Worth business leader and entrepreneur Jack Knox ’60, ’63 gives $11 million to SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow and encourages others to support the University.
SMU community members, students, alumni, faculty and staff raise over $5.1 million for more than 250 causes across the Hilltop.
A $2.5 million gift from both the Deason Foundation, established by SMU supporter and friend Darwin A. Deason, and his son Douglas R. Deason will support engineering and cyber security research and development within the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering.
SMU names Nader Jalili the Mary and Richard Templeton Dean of the Lyle School of Engineering, and Amanda W. Dotseth ’06 the Linda P. and William Custard Director of the Meadows Museum and Centennial Chair at Meadows School of the Arts.
Thousands flocked to Bridwell Library for three days to view the Codex Sassoon, one of the most important and influential works of global religious and cultural history. More than one thousand years old, the earliest and most complete Hebrew Bible spent most of its existence out of the public eye. Visitors were also invited to a series of lectures, music and other events and activities at the Perkins School of Theology.
SMU’s equestrian team made history to win the University’s first National Collegiate Equestrian Association Championship and SMU’s ninth national championship in any sport. It marks the first time a school outside of the Big 12 and SEC won the equestrian title.
Other SMU athletics programs excelled while competing in the American Athletic Conference, capturing championships in men’s tennis, women’s tennis and women’s golf. Men’s swimming and diving and women's rowing won their third consecutive AAC championships.
Philanthropist and Broadway producer G. Marlyne Sexton makes a $15 million gift to Meadows School of the Arts to create a specialization in musical theatre that will prepare graduates for a lifetime of leading roles.
SMU biosciences professor Edward Glasscock receives a $3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health for a study on markers predicting sudden unexpected death in people with epilepsy.
SMU’s equestrian team made history to win the University’s first National Collegiate Equestrian Association Championship and SMU’s ninth national championship in any sport. It marks the first time a school outside of the Big 12 and SEC won the equestrian title.
Other SMU athletics programs excelled while competing in the American Athletic Conference, capturing championships in men’s tennis, women’s tennis and women’s golf. Men’s swimming and diving and women's rowing won their third consecutive AAC championships.
Philanthropist and Broadway producer G. Marlyne Sexton makes a $15 million gift to Meadows School of the Arts to create a specialization in musical theatre that will prepare graduates for a lifetime of leading roles.
SMU biosciences professor Edward Glasscock receives a $3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health for a study on markers predicting sudden unexpected death in people with epilepsy.
Strengthening the University’s reputation as a vital place for education and research related to the American West, Jan and Trevor D. Rees-Jones ’78 gave a significant portion of their illustrious collection – including rare books, manuscripts, maps, photographs and ephemera – and $30 million to create the Rees-Jones Library of the American West.
Matthew Wortham-Merritt ’23 enjoyed a number of accomplishments during his time at SMU: He was a Meadows Scholar, a Rotunda Scholar, a Dallas County Mustang Scholar, a student ambassador, secretary of the Association of Black Students and secretary of his fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha. After graduating, Wortham-Merritt fulfilled his longtime dream of becoming a high school choir director by joining Pearce High School in Richardson, Texas, as its associate choral director. Read more about him and other recent graduates.
Paula H. Rhines and Walden “Wally” C. Rhines ’75 establish the Walden and Paula Rhines Professor of Quantum Informatics through a $1.25 million gift to fuel teaching and research in quantum informatics within the Lyle School of Engineering.
An endowment gift from Ann Warmack Brookshire ’77 and Bradley W. Brookshire ’76 creates the Brookshire Scholarship, providing scholarship funds for high-achieving students who enroll at SMU after completing an associate degree at Tyler Junior College.
Matthew Wortham-Merritt ’23 enjoyed a number of accomplishments during his time at SMU: He was a Meadows Scholar, a Rotunda Scholar, a Dallas County Mustang Scholar, a student ambassador, secretary of the Association of Black Students and secretary of his fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha. After graduating, Wortham-Merritt fulfilled his longtime dream of becoming a high school choir director by joining Pearce High School in Richardson, Texas, as its associate choral director. Read more about him and other recent graduates.
Paula H. Rhines and Walden “Wally” C. Rhines ’75 establish the Walden and Paula Rhines Professor of Quantum Informatics through a $1.25 million gift to fuel teaching and research in quantum informatics within the Lyle School of Engineering.
An endowment gift from Ann Warmack Brookshire ’77 and Bradley W. Brookshire ’76 creates the Brookshire Scholarship, providing scholarship funds for high-achieving students who enroll at SMU after completing an associate degree at Tyler Junior College.
Now in its second century of shaping world changers in the global city of Dallas, SMU continues to inspire excellence in its students, to make impactful change in its community, and to find innovative solutions to everyday challenges. Thanks to the dedicated support of its donors, SMU’s future has never looked brighter, with FY23 proving to be a outstanding year in gift revenue, infrastructure improvements and new programming to make the University more accessible and more illustrious than ever before.
TOTAL NEW COMMITMENTS
TOTAL GIFT REVENUE
We thank the more than 14,000 people who made a gift in 2022-2023, including our principal and major gift donors and those who are members of President’s Associates and Hilltop Society. We also appreciate the more than 59,000 donors to SMU Ignited, including the campaign’s leading donors.