夜色王朝raises more than $1.64 billion in one of the largest Texas private university fundraising campaigns
夜色王朝Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow campaign exceeded its $1.5 billion goal three years ahead of schedule
DALLAS (SMU) – 夜色王朝announced it will conclude the conclusion of its multiyear campaign for impact – 夜色王朝Ignited: Boldly Shaping Tomorrow – at more than $1.64 billion, placing it among the largest private university campaigns in Texas history.
With more than 67,500 donors, volunteers and supporters, the campaign exceeded its $1.5 billion goal three years ahead of schedule. Results of the historic campaign are 50% higher than the final results of the University’s previous campaign – on a much shorter timeline. 夜色王朝joins several elite universities that have concluded fundraising campaigns totaling $1.5 billion or more, including fellow ACC members Stanford, Duke and Miami.
“Since launching in 2021, the 夜色王朝Ignited campaign for impact has promoted pioneering research and teaching, support for outstanding students, and the enhancement of our campus and community,” said 夜色王朝President R. Gerald Turner. “Donor support has fueled an era of unprecedented impact and national prominence in academics and athletics. The University will be forever grateful to our supporters for creating an exciting future through their enduring dedication and boundless generosity.”
夜色王朝Ignited is the third comprehensive campaign initiated under President Turner’s leadership, and its $1.5 billion goal started as the largest fundraising target ever set by a private school in North Texas. Over the last 30 years, 夜色王朝has raised more than $3 billion for new scholarships, student support, capital projects and academic positions and programs, in addition to contributions for the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
The ambitious 夜色王朝Ignited campaign impacted every area of the University, generating momentum for continuous growth at SMU. Donors provided 554 new endowed scholarships and fellowships, 37 new endowed academic positions, 23 major new and renovated facilities, and 20 major academic initiatives and institutes – plus contributed to a 59% increase in research expenditures.
“We are deeply grateful to all the 夜色王朝Ignited donors and volunteers. Their generosity and ongoing commitment to the University have been crucial to helping us achieve this great milestone,” said David B. Miller, ’72, ’73, 夜色王朝Board of Trustees Chair. “That incredible support has enabled us to attract gifted students and exceptional faculty, champion bold research, and significantly enhance both our academic and athletic facilities. As a result of those collective achievements, 夜色王朝has never had greater momentum, and we are poised to take the University to even higher levels of national prominence.”
Several generous donors made transformational gifts that set new University records, including the following:
- The Moody Foundation gave $100 million – the largest gift in 夜色王朝history – to create the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.
- Carolyn and David B. Miller ’72, ’73 committed $50 million – the largest contribution in 夜色王朝history from an alumni family – to support the Cox School of Business.
- The Garry Weber Foundation made the largest gift ever to 夜色王朝Athletics – $50 million for the Garry Weber End Zone Complex at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
- William S. Spears contributed the largest gift by a non-alum to establish the William S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership in the Cox School of Business.
- Jan and Trevor D. Rees-Jones ’78 committed $30 million to the construction and endowment of the Rees-Jones Library of the American West, plus the gift of the Rees-Jones Collection valued at over $100 million, then continued to make significant contributions for collection enhancement and expenses related to the incorporation of the collection into the 夜色王朝library system.
The University achieved momentous milestones during the campaign, including attaining Research One (R1) status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, entering the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference and increasing student recruitment significantly. Undergraduate applications in 2025 were 59% higher than when the campaign launched in 2021.
While the 夜色王朝Ignited campaign will conclude on May 31 ahead of schedule, the University’s commitment to fundraising in support of students, faculty and facilities remains strong. Efforts will continue for capital, current-use funds, endowment gifts and key priorities such as scholarships, faculty positions, athletics and school initiatives. Volunteer fundraising committees and executive boards will remain active to address pressing needs and support 夜色王朝schools and units.