The Second Century Scholarship History at SMU: A Transformative Era

Southern Methodist University (SMU), nestled in the heart of Dallas, Texas, has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two decades, largely fueled by ambitious fundraising campaigns and a clear vision for the future. This article delves into the history of SMU's Second Century Campaign, examining its origins, goals, key achievements, and overall impact on the university's trajectory.

The Genesis of a Vision: Setting Ambitious Goals

In the spring of 1997, SMU President Gerald Turner and head of development Bill Lively discussed launching the largest fundraising campaign in the school's history, with the goal of raising $300 million over five years. This initial ambition, however, was just the beginning. Turner recognized early on that achieving his long-term vision for SMU would require sustained and significant financial investment.

In early 1996, Turner told SMU’s board of trustees that he believed it would take two major fundraising campaigns to build up the university and bolster its endowment. He understood that elevating SMU's standing required attracting better students and faculty, enhancing facilities, and increasing the endowment. While a $300 million fundraising goal was a good start, it would take more to achieve his vision.

The First Step: "A Time to Lead" Campaign (1997-2002)

SMU launched "A Time to Lead: The Campaign for SMU" in 1997 with an original goal of $300 million. The campaign gained strong momentum and the goal was increased to $400 million. The campaign ultimately raised $542 million, exceeding its original goal. These funds were strategically allocated to bolster various aspects of the university:

Endowments for Academic Programs: 80 new endowments were established to support academic programs, ensuring long-term funding and stability.
Student Scholarships and Awards: 171 scholarships and awards were created, attracting talented students and making education more accessible.
Campus Life Initiatives: 28 initiatives were funded to enhance campus life, fostering a vibrant and supportive environment for students.
Academic Positions: 16 new academic positions were created, attracting renowned faculty and strengthening the university's research capabilities.
New and Renovated Facilities: 14 new or renovated facilities were funded, providing state-of-the-art learning and research spaces.

The construction projects alone contributed nearly $500 million to the Dallas economy, involving contracts to approximately 3,500 design firms, contractors and suppliers, most in the Dallas area.

The Second Century Campaign: A Bold Step Forward (2008-2015)

Building on the success of the "A Time to Lead" campaign, SMU launched The Second Century Campaign in 2008 with a goal of $750 million. The campaign coincided with the centennial of the University's founding in 1911 and opening in 1915. Recognizing the continued need for investment, the university increased the goal to $1 billion in 2013 and extended the campaign's completion date to 2015.

The Second Century Campaign proved to be a resounding success, raising $1.15 billion, exceeding its ambitious target. This achievement placed SMU among an elite group of private universities that have successfully completed billion-dollar campaigns. According to SMU, more than 62,000 individuals donated to the campaign, 23,000 of these being from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. One-hundred-seventy-one of these gifts were amounts of $1 million or more. The university received 12 publicly announced gifts of over $10 million.

The funds raised through The Second Century Campaign were strategically allocated to further enhance SMU's academic standing, campus infrastructure, and student experience.

Key Areas of Impact

Academic Excellence:
- New Academic Programs and Centers: New funding was provided for 66 academic programs and centers.
- Endowed Faculty Positions: Support for The Second Century Campaign enabled SMU to add 54 endowed faculty positions, reaching a University total of 116, up from 62 in 2008.
- Scholarships: The 689 new endowed scholarships created include support for undergraduates and graduate students in all seven schools of the University.
- New Schools: Campaign resources enabled SMU to endow the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering and SMU’s newest and seventh degree-granting school - the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development.
Campus Enhancements:

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- Capital Projects: Twenty-four capital projects have been substantially funded, including new facilities for academic programs, student housing and athletics.
- Residential Commons: One of the most visible campaign projects, and one with significant impact on campus life, is the addition of five new residence halls and a dining center as part of SMU’s new Residential Commons system, including on-site classes and faculty in residence. At SMU-in-Taos, new facilities include a campus center, new and renovated housing and a chapel.
- The George W. Bush Presidential Center: The opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Center in 2013 brought 750,000 visitors to SMU, further enhancing the university's visibility and reputation.
Student Quality:
- Increased Applications and SAT Scores: SMU has tripled the number of applications it receives for freshman admission in the past 20 years. SAT scores are up more than 100 points since 2004, to an average of 1308.
- Expanded Campus Life: Five new residence halls, plus a new dining hall, opened in fall 2014. SMU now requires all freshmen and sophomores to live on campus, and 3,200 undergraduate and graduate students currently do so.

Key Donors

Several individuals and foundations made significant contributions to The Second Century Campaign, demonstrating their commitment to SMU's mission and vision. These include:

Nancy Ann Hunter Hunt ’65 and Ray L. Hunt ’65: Over $50 million, including commitments for campus expansion, Hunt Leadership Scholars Program, The Nancy Ann and Ray Hunt Residency-in-Teaching Master of Education and Judge Elmo B.
**Annette Caldwell Simmons ’57 and Harold C.
David B. Miller ’72, ’73 and Carolyn L. Miller and David B.
Bobby B. Lyle ’67: Over $20 million, including the naming of the Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering, several academic positions and scholarships in the Lyle School and Edwin L.
Roy M.
Gerald J. Ford ’66, ’69 and Kelli O. Ford and The Gerald J. Ford Family Foundation: Over $20 million in support of Gerald J.
Gary T. Crum ’69 and Sylvie P. Crum: Over $16 million, including Crum Commons, Crum Basketball Center, athletics initiatives and scholarships in the Edwin L.

Key Campaign Statistics

Raised $1.15 billion, the largest amount ever raised by a private university in Texas.
Received the largest number of gifts of $1 million or more - 183.
Exceeded its goal to receive gifts from 50 percent of alumni over the course of the campaign, achieving 59 percent.
Surpassed its goal to achieve 25 percent of undergraduate alumni giving in a single year, reaching 26 percent for 2014-2015.
Provided 689 new student scholarships.
Raised the previous number of 62 endowed faculty positions to a new total of 116.
Provided for 68 new or significantly enhanced academic programs and initiatives, including endowments for two schools.
Substantially funded twenty-four capital projects.

A Third Century: SMU Ignited Campaign (Launched 2021)

Building upon the momentum of its previous campaigns, SMU launched "SMU Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow" with a goal of $1.5 billion. This campaign focuses on scholarships, research, teaching, and community partnerships. The campaign has already gained strong momentum, with more than $654 million committed during the planning phase.

The "SMU Ignited" campaign aims to:

Transform the lives of high-achieving students by enabling them to come to SMU regardless of means.
Enrich teaching and research by investing in faculty pursuits that have substantial societal impact.
Enhance the campus and community by increasing partnerships with corporations and nonprofits.

A Restaurant? Expansion Beyond Traditional Boundaries

Under President Turner's leadership, SMU has also expanded its physical footprint beyond its traditional boundaries. The university has strategically acquired land and buildings adjacent to the campus, including the purchase of office buildings across Central Expressway and the Mrs. Baird's bakery site. This expansion has allowed SMU to grow and develop new facilities, such as the Gerald J. Ford Stadium, tennis facilities, and academic buildings.

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Notably, SMU even owns the building that houses Cafe Brazil, a local restaurant. Turner jokes about running a restaurant, but this acquisition symbolizes SMU's willingness to think creatively and expand beyond traditional academic boundaries.

Athletics: A Key Component of Campus Life

Investments in athletics have also played a significant role in SMU's transformation. The construction of the Gerald J. Ford Stadium in 2000 marked a turning point for SMU's athletic program, signaling its commitment to Division I athletics. The stadium provided a central gathering place for students, alumni, and the community, fostering school spirit and pride. Since then, investments in the tennis program and swimming and diving (a new natatorium is in the planning stages) followed, as did the renovation of Moody Coliseum.

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite its many successes, SMU's fundraising efforts have faced some criticisms. Some argue that the university has focused too much on money, land, and buildings, and not enough on instruction and research. Others believe that SMU has missed opportunities to challenge Rice for academic superiority in Texas. However, SMU hopes its expanded campus will help draw more applicants.

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