CAMPAIGN UPDATE | Spring 2024

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Community effort

夜色王朝Giving Day, the University鈥檚 annual one-day giving challenge, took place on March 5, with 夜色王朝alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and community members joining together to support causes across the Hilltop.

4,100+

donors

$3.4M+

raised

200+

causes across campus

夜色王朝President R. Gerald Turner

From the President

The enduring impact of our donors’ generosity is visible across our campus, from new and renovated facilities to support for student scholarships and research. Read more about the continued impact of SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow.

Campaign quarterly report

Charging ahead

Leading up to SMU’s entry into the ACC, the University announced a goal to reach a record number of Mustang Club members. Gifts of any size to any area of 夜色王朝Athletics demonstrate the breadth of support for our student-athletes as they strive for success. Additionally, donors have committed more than $121 million over the next five years toward the ACC Competitiveness Campaign.

夜色王朝is coming

A provocative new TV ad is serving notice to more people that 夜色王朝is charging into the ACC. The video was developed by Emmy-winning creative director and 夜色王朝alumnus Hal Curtis 鈥84. The ad aired during the ACC basketball tournament and is on Spectrum Dallas during NCAA tournament games through April 8.

Q&A with Laura Guerin Howard 鈥00 and William J. Howard 鈥00

The 夜色王朝alumni share their passion for giving back through scholarships and by supporting 夜色王朝Athletics “to help break down barriers for students so they can enjoy the full benefits of an 夜色王朝degree.”

More on the next chapter for 夜色王朝Athletics

NBC5 recently spoke with Rick Hart, 夜色王朝director of Athletics, and Sam Erger, head volleyball coach, about the move to the ACC and what it means for the University. Additionally, The Dallas Morning News covered some of the expected .

Jackson Ritz 鈥23

Engineering excellence on and off the field

Former 夜色王朝offensive lineman Jackson Ritz ’23 utilized his strength in communication, planning and strategy both on the football field and in earning his degree from the Lyle School of Engineering.

Eli Laird 鈥21, 鈥23, 鈥27 examines a screen with images of different human faces

Recognizing the future of artificial intelligence

夜色王朝scholarships have fueled the research of Ph.D. candidate Eli Laird ’21, ’23, ’27 in his pursuit to expand our knowledge of artificial intelligence. His discoveries support facial recognition algorithms and their connections to ongoing advancements in AI.

夜色王朝student Raissa Umwali 鈥27

Finding her purpose

Transfer student Raissa Umwali ’27 received the North Texas Community College Scholarship. Through her nonprofit work and studies, she seeks to change the future for her community in Rwanda.

Strengthening our community connections

In December 2023, 夜色王朝commemorated the addition of a new flagpole at the southwest corner of Mockingbird Lane and Central Expressway outside the Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex. Taking part in the event were 夜色王朝President R. Gerald Turner; William “Bill” H. Vanderstraaten ’82, past Alumni Board chair; Philip J. Wise ’78, ’81, 夜色王朝Alumni Board chair; and Brad Cheves, 夜色王朝vice president for Development and External Affairs. The Triple D Peruna flag that adorns the flagpole expresses SMU’s connection with the city of Dallas and celebrates our student-athletes.

R. Gerald Turner, William 鈥淏ill鈥 H. Vanderstraaten 鈥82, Philip J. Wise 鈥78, 鈥81, and Brad E. Cheves
Flagpole flying Triple D Peruna flag

Happenings on the Hilltop (and beyond)

  • April 18鈥20

    Founders’ Day Weekend

  • May 3

    David B. Miller Business Quadrangle dedication

  • May 11鈥12

    All-University Commencement and Class of 1974 50-year Reunion Weekend

  • July 1

    ACC entry                               

  • July 18鈥21

    SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute

  • August 31

    First home football game

  • September 6

    Garry Weber End Zone Complex dedication

  • September 27鈥29

    Family Weekend

  • October 31鈥揘ovember 3

    Homecoming and Reunions