Q&A with Jennifer Gelety Flanagan ’82 and Martin L. Flanagan ’82
Proud SMU alumni, parents and football enthusiasts, Jennifer Gelety Flanagan ’82 and Martin “Marty” L. Flanagan ’82 have dedicated their time and resources generously to the University and its campaigns for many years. Recipient of the 2019 SMU Distinguished Alumni Award and the 2005 Cox School of Business Distinguished Alumni Award, Marty Flanagan serves as an SMU trustee, co-chair of the National Campaign Steering Committee for SMU Ignited and member of the Cox School Executive Board. Jennifer Flanagan’s service includes the Atlanta Campaign Steering Committee for SMU Unbridled: The Second Century Campaign, the Meadows School of the Arts Executive Board and the SMU Mothers’ Club.
You’ve both been actively involved with SMU since your college graduation. How do you view SMU’s development over the years?
Jennifer: SMU has always been such an important part of my and Marty’s life, both in our educations and in building our community. I’m always pleased to see the University’s growth when we visit campus, and we’re so proud to host gatherings for our fellow alumni in Atlanta. Being connected with a university that is committed to continuous improvement like SMU means a great deal to students, alumni and everyone who becomes part of the Mustang community.
Some of your most notable contributions have been to support SMU Athletics. What impact does investing in Athletics make on the University’s future and academic initiatives?
Marty: Athletics play a vital role in the health and success of the University and its students. They promote school spirit, healthy competition and a well-rounded outlook, in addition to providing student-athletes with financial assistance and personal support as they pursue their educational goals. Athletics also raise the University’s visibility on a national scale, promoting the University’s academic offerings, inspiring potential parents and donors and helping SMU recruit and retain the best and brightest students and student-athletes.
Jennifer: We have really enjoyed giving to projects like the Garry Weber End Zone Complex and Armstrong Fieldhouse that support these student-athletes as they excel in their training and studies. Projects like these inspire students and bring the entire community together, inspiring a sense of home and connection that endures long after graduation. As alumni, Marty and I continue to benefit from these kinds of projects. We celebrated our 40th reunion at the Armstrong Fieldhouse with our fellow Class of 1982 alumni. It was an incredibly special occasion for both of us as a chance to reunite with old friends and catch up with classmates we hadn’t seen in such a long time! These facilities provide wonderful places for University events, Mustang fans and honored guests, and people forge new connections and strengthen our community when they join together at athletic events. We are excited to see the facilities we have supported benefit SMU students and community members for years to come.
Recently, the University accepted an invitation to join the Atlantic Coast Conference, starting in the 2024-2025 academic year. What role do you think this move will play in the future of Mustang football, SMU Athletics and the University?
Marty: The ACC is one of the best conferences in the nation, boasting top-tier academic institutions like Duke University, University of Virginia and now Stanford, among others. Joining their ranks is a boon to SMU and to Dallas and says a great deal about the overall quality of the institution, the competitiveness of our athletic programs and the world-class quality of the city. This move will raise the visibility of Mustang sports and academics, enabling SMU to compete for even more outstanding students and student-athletes. To be sure, the ACC will also benefit from adding SMU and Dallas to the conference.
In addition to Athletics, you’ve given to scholarships, a vital part of our goal to make an SMU education accessible to outstanding students from all backgrounds. What inspired you to make these gifts, and how would you advise other donors who want to impact students?
Jennifer: We created the Jennifer and Marty Flanagan Endowed Master of Arts/Master of Business Administration Scholarship to help students who are pursuing the same degrees that made such a difference in our personal and professional development. Our inspiration was to pay forward to future generations the amazing opportunities SMU made possible for us. Whether you give to the Opportunity SMU Fund that supports a wide range of scholarships or create your own endowed scholarship for future generations, every bit of generosity leaves a mark on the life of a student and the future of SMU.
Your contributions also include volunteering in support of SMU’s two most recent fundraising campaigns, plus serving on boards and committees across campus. Thinking broadly about SMU academics, athletics and community ties, what most excites you about the University’s future?
Marty: Donors to the SMU Ignited campaign are making possible new improvements and programs in every part of the University. As alumni of the Meadows School and the Cox School, we are particularly excited to see how the new and renovated facilities at those schools will help students as they become leaders, thinkers and artists. We also expect SMU Athletics will continue to ascend, as so many teams have risen in the ranks and earned conference and national championships. SMU is an institution of innovation, leadership and creativity. Our family is honored to be a part of its future success.