With the constant sound of hammering throughout campus, it’s evident that money from SMU’s Capital Campaign is being spent on new facilities. However, construction makes up for only one-third of where the money will be invested. The remainder of the $532 million SMU has raised will be designated for faculty, academic support and scholarship aid.
“By paying more, we, can keep the faculty we have now and recruit more,” said Ross C. Murfin, SMU provost and vice president for academic affairs. “The money will also allow more endowed scholarships for students.”
The Campaign for SMU: A Time to Lead has been the most successful campaign any institution or university has accomplished in North Texas. According to an SMU press release, President R. Gerald Turner said, “The Campaign is providing SMU with the resources to build on its strengths as a premier private university. Campaign results will enhance our ability to attract a diverse population of top students and professors, contribute to research and expertise to the community and society and advance SMU’s position of leadership nationally in higher education.”
With the new additions of academic facilities, SMU will be able to provide students a higher education in specific fields. Among these new facilities are the Dedman Life Science Building, The Jerry R. Junkins Building and the James M. Collins Executive Education Center.
“If we increase satisfaction, we will increase retention and we will not have to replace students who transferred,” Murfin said. “The money will drastically affect the acceptance rate to the university and make it more selective.”
The five-year campaign began in April 1997 and has resulted in 80 new endowments for academic programs, 171 new student scholarships and awards, 16 new academic positions, and several new facilities. This was made possible with gifts from over 40,000 donors, which is the largest number in SMU history.
“It has been a very unique time in the university’s history,” said Bob Bucker, assistant vice president for development and director of the campaign. Everyone had to help and they did, which made it possible to change SMU forever.”
Although the Campaign’s impact can be seen throughout the campus, it will affect the university as a whole with the new student and professor endowments.
“The Capital campaign just shows how seriously committed the alumni and Board of Trustees are in making our university a top level institution,” said SMU Student Body President Dustin Odham.
