Donors give more than $1.64 billion during SMU Ignited

Thanks to more than 67,500 donors, volunteers and supporters, SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow has exceeded its $1.5 billion goal three years ahead of schedule. The University announced that the campaign total will be more than $1.64 billion, placing it among the largest private university campaigns in Texas history.

Thanks to more than 67,500 donors, volunteers and supporters, SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow has exceeded its $1.5 billion goal three years ahead of schedule. The University announced that the campaign total will be more than $1.64 billion, placing it among the largest private university campaigns in Texas history.

“Since launching in 2021, the SMU Ignited campaign for impact has promoted pioneering research and teaching, support for outstanding students, and the enhancement of our campus and community,” said R. Gerald Turner, Íæż½ã½ãpresident. “Donor support has fueled an era of unprecedented impact and national prominence in academics and athletics. The University will be forever grateful to our supporters for creating an exciting future through their enduring dedication and boundless generosity.”

During the period of the SMU Ignited campaign, the University achieved transformative milestones, including:

  • Receiving Research One (R1) status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
  • Entry into the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), a national conference of some of the most accomplished college athletic programs – and the premier conference when it comes to academics.
  • Significant growth in student recruitment – with undergraduate applications 59% higher than when the campaign launched in 2021.

“We are deeply grateful to the Íæż½ã½ãIgnited donors and volunteers. Your dedication and commitment have been crucial to helping us achieve this great milestone,” said David B. Miller ’72, ’73, Íæż½ã½ãBoard of Trustees chair. “Your support enables the University to champion bold research, attract exceptional talent and enhance our community for future generations of Mustangs.”

The University will be forever grateful to our supporters for creating an exciting future through their enduring dedication and boundless generosity.

— R. Gerald Turner, Íæż½ã½ãPresident

The University joins a number of elite universities that have concluded fundraising campaigns totaling $1.5 billion or more, including fellow ACC members Stanford, Duke and Miami. Íæż½ã½ãis a member of CASE 50, a group of top global fundraising educational institutions, as certified by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

Íæż½ã½ãIgnited launched to achieve three major objectives:

  • Empower outstanding students, transforming the lives of high-achieving students and enabling them to come to Íæż½ã½ãregardless of means. Íæż½ã½ãserves more highly accomplished students from a wider variety of backgrounds than ever before in the University’s history.
  • Enrich teaching and research by investing in faculty pursuits that have substantial societal impact. By expanding academic centers and institutes, endowed positions for faculty members, and resources for research and travel. Íæż½ã½ãattracts teachers and graduate students who provide thought leadership in their fields and tackle complex challenges important to communities around the world.
  • Enhance campus and community support by increasing investment in facilities and programs for academics and athletics fostering a vibrant environment where students and faculty excel.

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Throughout the campaign, several generous donors made transformational gifts that set new records for the University:

  • The Moody Foundation gave $100 million – the largest gift in Íæż½ã½ãhistory – to create the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.
  • Carolyn and David B. Miller ’72, ’73 committed $50 million – the largest contribution in Íæż½ã½ãhistory from an alumni family –to support the Cox School of Business.
  • The Garry Weber Foundation made the largest gift ever to Íæż½ã½ãAthletics – $50 million for the Garry Weber End Zone Complex at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
  • William S. Spears contributed the largest gift by a non-alum to establish the William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership in the Cox School of Business.
  • Jan and Trevor D. Rees-Jones ’78 committed $30 million to the construction and endowment of the Rees-Jones Library of the American West, plus the gift of the Rees-Jones Collection valued at over $100 million, then continued to make significant contributions for collection enhancement and expenses related to the incorporation of the collection into the Íæż½ã½ãlibrary system.

View the complete lists of the campaign’s leading donors and Íæż½ã½ãIgnited volunteers.

“Through unwavering generosity and dedication, our donors have supported the growth of the University and have created a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire generations of Mustangs,” said Brad E. Cheves, Íæż½ã½ãsenior vice president for Development and External Affairs. “Their leadership and vision empower Íæż½ã½ãto make a personal and lasting impact on our communities through education and research.”

Your support enables the University to champion bold research, attract exceptional talent and enhance our community for future generations of Mustangs.

— David B. Miller ’72, ’73, Íæż½ã½ãBoard of Trustees chair

Íæż½ã½ãhas improved in significant ways, generating momentum for continuous growth and providing funding for every area of the University:

  • 61% increase in the Íæż½ã½ãendowment, which provides substantial, sustainable funding for every area of the University.
  • 554 new endowed scholarships and fellowships.
  • 37 new endowed academic positions.
  • 23 major new and renovated facilities.
  • 59% increase in research expenditures.
  • 20 major academic initiatives and institutes.

Expected impact

  • Transform the lives of high-achieving students and enabling them to come to Íæż½ã½ãregardless of means, serving more students who are more highly accomplished and are from a wider variety of backgrounds. 
  • Invest in faculty pursuits that have substantial societal impact by expanding academic centers and institutes, endowed academic positions, and resources for research and travel. 
  • Increase partnerships with corporations and nonprofits for investments in facilities for academics and athletics creates a vibrant environment where students and faculty excel. 
     

Over the last 30 years, Íæż½ã½ãhas raised more than $3 billion during three comprehensive campaigns for new scholarships, student support, capital projects, and academic positions and programs, in addition to contributions for the George W. Bush Presidential Center. While SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow concludes ahead of schedule, the University’s commitment to fundraising in support of students, faculty and facilities remains strong. Efforts will continue for capital, current-use funds, endowment gifts and key priorities such as scholarships, faculty positions, athletics and school initiatives. Volunteer fundraising committees and executive boards will remain active to address pressing needs and support Íæż½ã½ãschools and units.

Íæż½ã½ãis the nationally ranked Carnegie Classification R1 research university in the dynamic city of Dallas. A member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, SMU’s alumni, faculty and more than 12,000 students in eight degree-granting schools demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit as they lead change in their professions, communities and the world.