At the Board of Trustees meeting in December a resolution was passed allowing the 2005-2006 academic year to be a year for planning of the “Centennial Campaign” for SMU. The Centennial Campaign is so named because it will come to a close during the period marking the 100th anniversary of SMU’s founding.
This plan designed by the Board of Trustees is in place with the goals of raising significant funds especially for endowments supporting academic programs, faculty positions, and student scholarships while also advancing the schools rise in quality and reputation and to ensure that SMU continues to grow as a university.
During this campaign planning year, SMU’s leaders will address issues such as timing of the campaign’s quiet phase and public phase, financing the campaign, establishing monetary and participation goals, and determining staff and volunteer structures. The planning of the campaign will also involve the insight of students and faculty members.
A 13-15 member campaign leadership board has been chosen to lead the Centennial Campaign. The leadership will be separated into committees including: academic programs, campus life initiatives, national and international outreach, and special projects.
President R. Gerald Turner is optimistic for the success of this new campaign from the great accomplishment of SMU’s previous campaign. President Turner also praises volunteers of the past on their leadership assistance and hopes for the same outcome of this new campaign, “Our success with The Campaign for SMU: A Time to Lead, was due in large part to the dedicated team of co-chairs who provided insightful guidance and set the pace for giving with their own generosity,” he said.This newly formed campaign leadership board will work during the quiet phase, or the planning period. For the public phase of the Centennial Campaign much of the efforts will rely on several hundred volunteers from all around the world to provide leadership support. The Board of Trustees stated that “the success of the Centennial Campaign will directly result from the active involvement and leadership of volunteers.”
University treasurer Liz Williams said, “We hope that gifts to the endowment will be an important part of the Campaign. We can grow in quality and in stature.”
This comprehensive funding campaign is designed to move SMU into the top portion of universities nationwide. Brad E. Cheves, SMU Vice President for Development and External Affairs is confident in the Board of Trustees proposal “At every board meeting the trustees have taken action to build the procedures and organization necessary for progress. Their vision and the University’s current strength are accelerating our momentum.”
