Southern Methodist University has recently achieved its goal of $1 billion towards supporting increased quality in academics and campus life. Campaign funds will go towards a number of different purposes, including new construction, new academic centers, and a number of scholarships for all seven of the university’s schools, including the Cox School of Business.
The massive funding campaign was expected to continue through December 31st of 2015, but was completed early. The announcement of completion was made on September 24th, a historic day for the college as they celebrated one hundred years since SMU’s opening on September 24th, 1915.
The billion dollar campaign will fund 582 student scholarships, including M.B.A. scholarships at the Cox School of Business for veterans and active military students. Also included were additional scholarships for transfer students to Cox. In addition to scholarships, the campaign will moreover support 66 academic programs, 18 capital projects, and 49 new endowed faculty positions. One of the most visible projects resulting from this campaign will be construction of five new residence halls and a new dining center.
This campaign was revolutionary for a number of reasons: it included the largest gift made in SMU history ($45 million from the Meadows Foundation), involved the largest number of donors of any previous campaign, and passed its goal for undergraduate alumni giving.
Gerald J. Ford, SMU trustee and convening co-chair of the campaign, commented: “By raising $1 billion to support academic excellence, SMU joins distinguished company within the higher education community. This stature underscores the reality of our growth in quality and reputation. SMU is proving to be a wise and worthy investment, not only among donors, but also among the young people who will invest their futures with us as students.”