Charge into a new era
ANNUAL REPORT 2023–2024 The Íæż½ã½ãAnnual Report celebrates our landmark achievements and the crucial role that donor generosity plays in our success. As of December 2024, supporters have contributed $1.39 billion to the SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow campaign. As you review this report, we hope you feel deep pride in the work we do together to impact our students, employees and the organizations and communities they ultimately affect.
Over the last 30 years, Íæż½ã½ãhas improved dramatically. The quality of the student body, the excellence of the faculty in teaching and research, and the campus facilities are all stronger – thanks to donors who have invested in the University during three comprehensive campaigns.
Our Board of Trustees, administration and donors have committed to a vision of Íæż½ã½ãas one of the leading universities in the nation. Our fundraising successes have generated great momentum for the continuous growth of the University’s impact.
Through December 2024, the Íæż½ã½ãIgnited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow campaign is 93% toward our goal. This momentum allows current faculty, researchers and students to forge a brighter future for our Mustang community.
Summer 2023
Advocating for justice
A new partnership between Íæż½ã½ãDedman School of Law’s Deason Criminal Justice Reform Center and the Child Poverty Action Lab (CPAL) aims to improve outcomes for families across North Texas by helping Dallas County prosecutors, judges and defense attorneys make informed decisions – faster – about whether to file criminal charges against individuals.
Exploring the ties between art and empire
For doctoral candidate Jennifer Laffick ’27, the power of art and the power behind politics are intricately connected. A Meadows artistic scholar, University Ph.D. fellow and recently named Fulbright Scholar, Laffick’s combined passions for history, art and curatorial work led her to Íæż½ã½ãMeadows School of the Arts. Now, donor support and graduate programming are aiding her research on how France’s imperial power influenced and was shaped by the visual arts in the years surrounding 1800.
A $1.7 million grant from the Phillips Foundation establishes the Íæż½ã½ãImpact Lab, giving students practical, hands-on experience investing in socially useful commercial opportunities.
Project Unity presents Íæż½ã½ãwith the Advocate Award for organizational unity in recognition of its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Brad E. Cheves, Íæż½ã½ãsenior vice president for Development and External Affairs, is recognized at the conclusion of the city’s 2023 Independence Day parade.
A $1.7 million grant from the Phillips Foundation establishes the Íæż½ã½ãImpact Lab, giving students practical, hands-on experience investing in socially useful commercial opportunities.
Project Unity presents Íæż½ã½ãwith the Advocate Award for organizational unity in recognition of its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Brad E. Cheves, Íæż½ã½ãsenior vice president for Development and External Affairs, is recognized at the conclusion of the city’s 2023 Independence Day parade.
Backing student investors
Íæż½ã½ãrecognized by Project Unity
University Park Citizen of the Year
August 2023
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Powering data-driven research and learning
A $30 million gift from the O’Donnell Foundation, founded by the late Peter O’Donnell, Jr. and the late Edith Jones O’Donnell, supports the future of technological innovation and education at SMU. The gift includes endowment and operational gifts in two areas: $15 million for the O’Donnell Data Science and Research Computing Institute and $15 million for the Initiative for Digital Innovation in Engineering and Computer Science in the Lyle School of Engineering.
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Leading innovation
Distinguished scientist and executive Neena Imam joins the University as the inaugural Peter O’Donnell, Jr. Director of the O’Donnell Data Science and Research Computing Institute.
September 2023
Prestigious ACC invites Íæż½ã½ãto join
The University accepts an invitation to , alongside some of the best universities in the nation, including the University of California, Berkeley (Cal) and Stanford University. SMU’s official start date in the new conference is set for July 1, 2024.
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Advancing graduate education and research
Íæż½ã½ãdedicates Frances Anne Moody Hall, the new home of the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies, made possible by the largest gift in Íæż½ã½ãhistory from the Moody Foundation. The 44,000-square-foot, three-story building named for Íæż½ã½ãtrustee and Moody Foundation Chairman and Executive Director Frances Anne Moody-Dahlberg ’92 provides valuable resources for Íæż½ã½ãgraduate students, who comprise more than 40% of the student body.
Íæż½ã½ãlaunches the ACC Competitiveness Campaign, which raises $100 million in the first week and $125 million in the first year.
Joseph G. Beard, Sr. ’83 and Sherry H. Beard give $2 million in support of the Garry Weber End Zone Complex and the Letterwinners lounge.
During their 50-year reunion, the Íæż½ã½ãClass of 1973 presents combined gifts of more than $6 million to Íæż½ã½ãIgnited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow.
Íæż½ã½ãlaunches the ACC Competitiveness Campaign, which raises $100 million in the first week and $125 million in the first year.
Joseph G. Beard, Sr. ’83 and Sherry H. Beard give $2 million in support of the Garry Weber End Zone Complex and the Letterwinners lounge.
During their 50-year reunion, the Íæż½ã½ãClass of 1973 presents combined gifts of more than $6 million to Íæż½ã½ãIgnited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow.
Charging ahead
Stampeding to the future
Golden giving
October 2023
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Community service milestone
The of its legal clinics, which provide exceptional legal services to those who may not be able to afford representation otherwise.
As part of her estate plan, the late Mary Frances McClure Burleson ’57 directed several gifts to Íæż½ã½ãtotaling more than $1.4 million.
Recipients of the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award – the highest honor Íæż½ã½ãawards to its graduates – include Ray W. Washburne ’84, Emily Rich Summers ’66, and Robert H. Dedman, Jr. ’80, ’84, as well as Emerging Leader Award recipient Brittany K. Barnett ’11.
The University celebrates the dedication of the Custard Institute for Spanish Art and Culture at the Meadows Museum, as well as its inaugural symposium. The institute is made possible by Linda Pitts Custard ’60, ’99 and William A. Custard ’57, and The Meadows Foundation.
Íæż½ã½ãis designated the lead agency for a federally funded economic development initiative to strengthen the semiconductor supply chain in North Texas and Oklahoma.
As part of her estate plan, the late Mary Frances McClure Burleson ’57 directed several gifts to Íæż½ã½ãtotaling more than $1.4 million.
Recipients of the 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award – the highest honor Íæż½ã½ãawards to its graduates – include Ray W. Washburne ’84, Emily Rich Summers ’66, and Robert H. Dedman, Jr. ’80, ’84, as well as Emerging Leader Award recipient Brittany K. Barnett ’11.
The University celebrates the dedication of the Custard Institute for Spanish Art and Culture at the Meadows Museum, as well as its inaugural symposium. The institute is made possible by Linda Pitts Custard ’60, ’99 and William A. Custard ’57, and The Meadows Foundation.
Íæż½ã½ãis designated the lead agency for a federally funded economic development initiative to strengthen the semiconductor supply chain in North Texas and Oklahoma.
Fueling student education and leadership
Honoring excellenceÂ
Shining a light on Spanish culture
Guiding technological collaboration
November 2023
Improving health outcomes through transportation access
Íæż½ã½ãLyle School of Engineering is working with transportation nonprofit Feonix – Mobility Rising and other universities to improve health disparities in Dallas and Detroit. Led by Janille Smith-Colin, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, the team will investigate whether improved transportation in both cities leads to better health outcomes for people with chronic medical conditions and women with high-risk pregnancies.
Allison Wortley and Michael J. Wortley ’98 make a $7.5 million gift to the ACC Competitiveness Campaign and the Mustang Excellence Fund for Íæż½ã½ãfootball.Â
Íæż½ã½ãGuildhall, the University’s premier graduate-level video game development program, celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Students, alumni, faculty, staff and neighbors gather for one of the campus’ most beloved pastimes, the annual Celebration of Lights.Â
Allison Wortley and Michael J. Wortley ’98 make a $7.5 million gift to the ACC Competitiveness Campaign and the Mustang Excellence Fund for Íæż½ã½ãfootball.Â
Íæż½ã½ãGuildhall, the University’s premier graduate-level video game development program, celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Students, alumni, faculty, staff and neighbors gather for one of the campus’ most beloved pastimes, the annual Celebration of Lights.Â
Empowering a new era of football
Building a reputation for excellence
Sustaining Hilltop traditions
December 2023
Íæż½ã½ãinventor recognized
J.-C. Chiao, the Mary and Richard Templeton Centennial Chair and professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department in the Íæż½ã½ãLyle School of Engineering, is one of 162 nationwide named a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.
Íæż½ã½ãcelebrates the dedication of the Holt Hickman Outdoor Pool at the Robson & Lindley Aquatics Center, named for the late Holt Hickman ’54, and made possible by the Robson, Lindley and Hickman families.
Antonio Garza ’83 delivers the 2023 December Commencement address. Garza is an Íæż½ã½ãtrustee, distinguished diplomat and attorney who served as the U.S. ambassador to Mexico from 2002 to 2009.
Throughout the year, the University welcomes experts and leaders to vital positions across campus, including ten new members to SMU’s Board of Trustees, deans ad interim and the .
Íæż½ã½ãcelebrates the dedication of the Holt Hickman Outdoor Pool at the Robson & Lindley Aquatics Center, named for the late Holt Hickman ’54, and made possible by the Robson, Lindley and Hickman families.
Antonio Garza ’83 delivers the 2023 December Commencement address. Garza is an Íæż½ã½ãtrustee, distinguished diplomat and attorney who served as the U.S. ambassador to Mexico from 2002 to 2009.
Throughout the year, the University welcomes experts and leaders to vital positions across campus, including ten new members to SMU’s Board of Trustees, deans ad interim and the .
Expanding a championship site
Inspiring the next generation of Mustangs
Leading with purpose
January 2024
Clearing pathways for language development
Íæż½ã½ãAssistant Professor of Psychology Sarah Kucker and a former student team up to study the effect shyness can have on childhood performance in language assessments, concluding that this behavior can make accurately assessing a child’s language abilities more challenging, as shy children find it harder to verbally engage with clinicians and teachers than during less socially demanding tests.
Discovering passion through study
Engaged Learning Fellowship grants allow undergraduate Íæż½ã½ãstudents to design and pursue capstone-level projects in research, service and creative activity. From studying cultural gender roles and patients undergoing vocal care to examining the use of fabrics in art and performance, students receiving the $2,000 grant are given multiple opportunities to share their work with the public, as well as coaching and support from faculty mentors and staff.
Íæż½ã½ãcommemorates the life, legacy and influence of the civil rights advocate with a series of campus wide events.
of adventurous education and opportunities for exploration and unique learning experiences in New Mexico.
Íæż½ã½ãcommemorates the life, legacy and influence of the civil rights advocate with a series of campus wide events.
of adventurous education and opportunities for exploration and unique learning experiences in New Mexico.
Honoring the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Reaching new heights
February 2024
Making the leap
When Presidential Scholar Ying-Chu Chen ’24, ’25 looked for opportunities to study dance in college, she never anticipated an Íæż½ã½ãPresident’s Scholarship would open the door to becoming a mechanical engineer. Now, following a summer internship at Texas Instruments, Chen is continuing her studies through the Lyle School Accelerated Pathways Program, where students earn both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years by taking graduate courses while undergraduates
Record-breaking year for Athletics
During the 2023–24 academic year, Íæż½ã½ãwon seven conference championships, the most in a single academic year, plus a national championship. At the end of the year, the University was named the named the .
Augmenting their landmark gift in May 2023, Jan and Trevor D. Rees-Jones ’78 give an additional $30 million toward the Rees-Jones Library of the American West.
An anonymous donor makes an $11.3 million gift for the Endowed Engineering Research Fund within the Lyle School of Engineering.
Anita Ray Arnold and Truman Arnold increase their commitment toward the renovation and expansion of the Cox School of Business, to a total of $8 million. Linda Wertheimer Hart ’65 and Milledge A. “Mitch†Hart, III give $3 million to the Cox School renovation and expansion.
Augmenting their landmark gift in May 2023, Jan and Trevor D. Rees-Jones ’78 give an additional $30 million toward the Rees-Jones Library of the American West.
An anonymous donor makes an $11.3 million gift for the Endowed Engineering Research Fund within the Lyle School of Engineering.
Anita Ray Arnold and Truman Arnold increase their commitment toward the renovation and expansion of the Cox School of Business, to a total of $8 million. Linda Wertheimer Hart ’65 and Milledge A. “Mitch†Hart, III give $3 million to the Cox School renovation and expansion.
Examining the American West
Engineering a brighter future
Igniting business education
March 2024
Taking their talents to the global stage
Íæż½ã½ãalumni and faculty share their talents in many fields – through magic, music and comedy – and gain loyal followings both online and on the screen.
Crystal Tigney ’23
When she stepped on set to audition for American Idol, Tigney never expected she would soon be living a dream that only a handful of people experience each season.
Trigg Watson ’12
Appearing on America’s Got Talent for the second time in two years, Watson made it to the semifinals with cutting-edge magic acts that incorporate robots, tablets, cameras and futuristic technology that doesn’t seem to exist yet.
Adam Waheed ’16
With over 50 million followers across his social media channels and over 30 billion lifetime views on social media, Waheed attributes his success to his universal approach to comedy and the work ethic he learned as a student-athlete.
Marcell Silva Steuernagel
With assistance from the Scholarly Outreach Award from the Perkins School of Theology, Steuernagel, assistant professor of church music, released a he had been composing since the mid-1990s.
Crystal Tigney ’23
Trigg Watson ’12
Adam Waheed ’16
Marcell Silva Steuernagel
A $3.5 million gift from the estate of Anne Bromberg supports the endowments of the Meadows Museum and Meadows School of the Arts.
On the annual Íæż½ã½ãGiving Day, more than 4,100 alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, and community members give over $3.4 million to more than 200 causes across SMU.
The Mark A. Roglán Publication Award by the Custard Institute for Spanish Art and Culture at the Meadows Museum names its inaugural recipient, Claudia Hopkins, professor of art history at Edinburgh College of Art at the University of Edinburgh.
The 31st Meadows at the Meyerson gala features seven-time Grammy Award-winning rock musician Stewart Copeland, who performs his hit show Police Deranged for Orchestra with the Meadows Symphony Orchestra.
A $3.5 million gift from the estate of Anne Bromberg supports the endowments of the Meadows Museum and Meadows School of the Arts.
On the annual Íæż½ã½ãGiving Day, more than 4,100 alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, and community members give over $3.4 million to more than 200 causes across SMU.
The Mark A. Roglán Publication Award by the Custard Institute for Spanish Art and Culture at the Meadows Museum names its inaugural recipient, Claudia Hopkins, professor of art history at Edinburgh College of Art at the University of Edinburgh.
The 31st Meadows at the Meyerson gala features seven-time Grammy Award-winning rock musician Stewart Copeland, who performs his hit show Police Deranged for Orchestra with the Meadows Symphony Orchestra.
Enriching art education
Enhancing life on the Hilltop
Honoring exemplary scholarship on Spanish art
Meadows at the Meyerson
April 2024
Profiles in excellence
During its 2024 All-University Commencement, the University welcomed extraordinary students and honorees into its alumni ranks, including budding humanitarians, keen young minds and the celebrated Grandmother of Juneteenth.
Solar spectacle
On April 8, thousands of spectators gathered on the Dallas Hall lawn to take part in special events and witness our region momentarily shadowed in darkness during the total solar eclipse. The rare celestial event was complemented by discussions from physics professors and astronomers, telescope observations, events at the Meadows Museum and George W. Bush Presidential Center, and live demonstrations led by student journalists from The Daily Campus.
In celebration of its centennial anniversary in 2025, Íæż½ã½ãDedman School of Law launches a scholarship challenge, with the school offering to create permanent endowed scholarships that match operational-scholarship gifts of at least $100,000.
The Spaht Family Foundation gives $2 million to the Meadows School of the Arts, endowing the chair of the Division of Art and financing opportunities for exceptional students to focus on intensive creation and study of their craft.
A gift from the Jeanne R. Johnson Foundation supports of the renovation and expansion of the Cox School of Business as well as adjunct music faculty at the Meadows School of the Arts.
Íæż½ã½ãparticipates in events celebrating the 100th anniversary of the City of University Park. Additionally, the University provides a letter for the city’s centennial time capsule and the Íæż½ã½ãBoard of Trustees issues a resolution recognizing the city’s 1924 founding.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson names .
In celebration of its centennial anniversary in 2025, Íæż½ã½ãDedman School of Law launches a scholarship challenge, with the school offering to create permanent endowed scholarships that match operational-scholarship gifts of at least $100,000.
The Spaht Family Foundation gives $2 million to the Meadows School of the Arts, endowing the chair of the Division of Art and financing opportunities for exceptional students to focus on intensive creation and study of their craft.
A gift from the Jeanne R. Johnson Foundation supports of the renovation and expansion of the Cox School of Business as well as adjunct music faculty at the Meadows School of the Arts.
Íæż½ã½ãparticipates in events celebrating the 100th anniversary of the City of University Park. Additionally, the University provides a letter for the city’s centennial time capsule and the Íæż½ã½ãBoard of Trustees issues a resolution recognizing the city’s 1924 founding.
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson names .
Vital initiative for law schoolÂ
Encouraging those devoted to the artsÂ
Inspiring excellenceÂ
Centennial celebration
Professor honored
May 2024
Forging the future of business educationÂ
On May 3, Íæż½ã½ãcelebrated the dedication of the David B. Miller Quadrangle, home of the Cox School of Business. The $140 million project increases the school’s footprint by 32% and provides the facilities needed to prepare students for an ever-more collaborative and technologically integrated world.
A $1 million gift from Linda Wertheimer Hart ’65 and Milledge A. “Mitch” Hart, III establishes the David Gergen Director of the Íæż½ã½ãCenter for Presidential History.
The Hart Global Leaders Forum Regional High School Seminar Series features Theresa May, former United Kingdom prime minister and current Member of Parliament.
During May Commencement ceremonies, co-founding directors of the William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership Megha and Nirav Tolia deliver the keynote address.
A $1 million gift from Linda Wertheimer Hart ’65 and Milledge A. “Mitch” Hart, III establishes the David Gergen Director of the Íæż½ã½ãCenter for Presidential History.
The Hart Global Leaders Forum Regional High School Seminar Series features Theresa May, former United Kingdom prime minister and current Member of Parliament.
During May Commencement ceremonies, co-founding directors of the William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership Megha and Nirav Tolia deliver the keynote address.
Saluting public service and work
Inspiring future leaders
Creating world changers
Charging into the future
As we reflect on a wildly successful year, we thank the dedicated donors who make these achievements possible. During our third comprehensive fundraising campaign, SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow, our supporters have strengthened University academics, research, athletics and facilities. As demonstrated by joining the Atlantic Coast Conference on July 1, 2024, our upward trajectory continues, with a national spotlight shining on Íæż½ã½ãexcellence in academic and athletic programs.
$306,711,223
TOTAL NEW COMMITMENTS
$200,606,145
TOTAL GIFT REVENUE
