One of the best kept secrets at SMU will be revealed Friday Near the flagpole, on the north end of Bishop Boulevard at 11:30 a.m., a ceremony will unveil the total amount of pledges and gifts in the capital campaign.
The Campaign for SMU: A Time To Lead has been more successful than even imagined when it began in 1997.
The original target was $300 million. Ford Stadium was not part of the original plan and with its addition, the target jumped to $350 million. Jeanne Whitman, vice president for development and external affairs, says every year of the campaign has been more successful than the last.
With that goal met prematurely the target was again raised to $400 million. Last December, the campaign board announced a figure of $492 million had been reached. Sources close to the campaign have said the final total is around $700 million.
“It has been the most successful campaign in the university’s history,” Whitman said.
Campaigns bring the reasons for giving to the forefront. One third is the bricks and mortar, the most apparent benefit of the gifts. Another third funds scholarships and the last covers deferred payments and maintenance of the already existing grounds and facilities.
“Our goal is for SMU to be among the top universities in the country. Our rapid progress is based upon maintaining constant improvement sometimes across the board, sometimes in a particular school or department,” President R. Gerald Turner said. “Our alumni and supporters have responded generously to support these projects and programs that will enhance the quality of SMU. My overall response is one of gratitude for their commitment.”
There have been four capital campaigns at SMU. The first was when the university was founded. The second was in the 1970s and another was in the 1980s. The current campaign is without precedent in its success. A strong economy brought strong market performance and generous gifts. The economic downturn of the past 18 months has reduced the smaller gifts but the large pledges have held steady.
Ruth Altshuler, Dallas civic and philanthropic leader and chair of the SMU Board of Trustees, is currently one of the five co-chairs for the university’s capital campaign. Altshuler is one of the major donors and a philanthropic leader. She quickly attributes the responsibility for success in the capital campaign.
President Turner has been “unparalleled in every part of being a president,” Altshuler said.
In addition to being aware of the myriad of details involved in operating the university the job today is also that of a fundraiser.
“I don’t think we would be able to announce half this amount without his effort,” Altshuler said. “Jeanne Whitman and her staff have also worked extremely hard and part of the credit goes to them as well.”
Commitments to the campaign exceeded all goals, the result of a momentous five-year campaign. More than 40,000 donors have made commitments in the campaign. The commitments have resulted in 63 new endowments for academic programs, 123 new student scholarships and awards, 23 new campus life initiatives, 14 new academic positions, and 13 new and/or renovated facilities.
