'Tis the season for Commencement

SMU honored graduates in outdoor ceremony Dec. 19

Business leader, philanthropist David Miller to serve as keynote speaker

Watch the full ceremony

Watch David Miller's commencement address

DALLAS (SMU) – More than 500 candidates from SMU's undergraduate, graduate and  professional programs will be honored at the December Commencement Convocation at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19.

The students and their guests will celebrate their achievements outdoors at Ford Stadium, socially-distanced to meet current health and safety needs. Face coverings will be required at all times.

SMU benefactor, trustee, alumnus and business leader David Miller will be the featured speaker. The Commencement Convocation, including Miller’s remarks, will be live-streamed at https://www.smu.edu/live.

The outdoor location will allow students to bring an unlimited number of guests.

“We are proud to have David Miller, a highly regarded business leader and SMU board member, serve as our keynote speaker,” said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. “He would have valuable advice to share with our students even if he were not a fellow Mustang, but his personal history at SMU is a lesson in the power of higher education to change lives.” 

Miller’s generosity and leadership over the past three decades have helped transform SMU and the surrounding Dallas community into an engine of entrepreneurship and innovation.

In 1988, Miller co-founded EnCap Investments, L.P., a leading provider of private equity to the energy industry. He continues as its managing partner today, and through his leadership, has helped build EnCap into one of the 20 largest private equity firms in the world.

It is his philanthropy, however, that has made the most impact on SMU and Dallas. Last year, Miller and his wife, Carolyn, donated $50 million to the Edwin L. Cox School of Business, which served as a capstone to their decades-long commitment that has fueled the University’s rise. He has served on SMU Board of Trustees since 2008. In addition, he is on the Board of Directors for the George W. Bush Foundation, Goodwill Industries of Dallas, the DFW Salvation Army, Methodist Health System Foundation, and the UT Southwestern Medical Foundation.

Miller graduated from SMU with his bachelor’s degree in 1972 and his master’s degree in 1973. Other Miller family members, including his son, stepson, and two nephews are also SMU alumni.

Security screening will be required for all commencement guests and SMU enforces restrictions on bags carried into Ford Stadium. Find more information on parking and the clear bag/small bag policy here.

SMU is the nationally ranked global research university in the dynamic city of Dallas.  SMU’s alumni, faculty and nearly 12,000 students in eight degree-granting schools demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they lead change in their professions, communities and the world.