President Turner spoke on the Second Century Campaign on Wednesday in Dedman Recreational Center. (Sidney Hollingsworth/The Daily Campus)
SMU faculty and staff promoted improvements in student life, academic excellence and overall campus experience at the fourth annual Second Century Campaign kickoff event Wednesday afternoon.
The Second Century Campaign has included projects that have awarded more students scholarships, recruited noteworthy professors and improved Mustang Band Hall. Many more projects are scheduled for this year.
Almost 250 faculty and staff attended the two-hour Olympic-themed event. President R. Gerald Turner offered remarks around 4 p.m.
The crowd enjoyed a variety of activities and games including a create-your-own button booth, ring toss, darts, indoor archery and basketball.
On the other side of the Dedman basketball courts (where the event was located), the faculty and staff could sit and enjoy refreshments and finger foods such as fruit, carnival-style pretzels dipped in cheese or mustard, cookies and more.
Project Coordinator Jasmine Efrussy came with the Project, Planning and Construction Department.
“[I had] lots of fun,” Efrussy said, sporting a gold medal around her neck.
Efrussy said she and her entire department personally donate to the cause in hopes of building a “bigger [and] better SMU.”
New campaign committee member Susie Holland also appreciated the kickoff event. Holland works in Caldwell-Simmons’ Applied Physiology & Wellness and Educational Leadership departments. The Simmons School of Education has contributed the most to the campaign.
“[It is] great to have an event that kicks off the campaign. The goal is participation, not about how much money [is given]. SMU has been good to us [so] we should give back,” Holland said.
Halfway through the event, President Turner and other speakers updated faculty and staff on the campaign’s progress.
The campaign’s overall goal is to raise $750 million by 2015. SMU has already raised $631 million.
The money raised will be used to improve SMU’s academic programs, research initiatives and general infrastructure.
Last year, 57 percent of faculty donated to the campaign, nearly double that of other university campaigns.
Turner recognized SMU departments and schools that have contributed the most money. Legal Affairs, Student Affairs, Business and Finance lead in department donations. Caldwell-Simmons School of Education, Dedman School of Law and Perkins School of Theology lead in school donations.
Assistant to Vice President of Student Affairs Carol Harder expressed excitement for the future of SMU. She is also a 16-year donor to the campaign.
“[The improvements in SMU] have caused me to stay here at SMU. It’s hard to walk away. I should have retired a long time ago,” Harder said.
