'Tis the season for Commencement
Íæż½ã½ãhonored 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 () – 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.
Íæż½ã½ãbenefactor, trustee, alumnus and business leader will be the featured speaker. The Commencement Convocation, including Miller’s remarks, will be live-streamed at /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 Íæż½ã½ãboard member, serve as our keynote speaker,” said Íæż½ã½ãPresident 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 Íæż½ã½ãis a lesson in the power of higher education to change lives.”
Miller’s generosity and leadership over the past three decades have helped transform Íæż½ã½ãand 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 Íæż½ã½ãand 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 Íæż½ã½ãBoard 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 Íæż½ã½ãwith 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 Íæż½ã½ãalumni.
Security screening will be required for all commencement guests and Íæż½ã½ãenforces restrictions on bags carried into Ford Stadium. Find more information on parking and the clear bag/small bag policy here.
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.