Celebrating the Happening Here
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SPRING 2020 CELEBRATING THE THINGS HAPPENING HERE 01862-FC-BC-R1.indd 2 2/17/20 2:21 PM Homecoming 2019: Celebrating ‘Traditions as Old as Time’ Thousands of alumni, parents and friends joined students on the Hilltop for SMU’s 95th annual Homecoming Weekend, November 7–10. Highlights included the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony and dinner; class reunion parties; the parade and Boulevard cele- bration leading up to the football game in Ford Stadium, where the Mustangs clinched an exciting 59-51 victory over East Carolina University, and Lucas Rhamy of Beta Theta Pi and Olivia Matthews of Chi Omega (above) were crowned the Homecoming king and queen at halftime. SMU recognized (from left) Distinguished Alumni Scott J. McLean ’78; Whitney Wolfe Herd ’11 (Emerging Leader Award); Jennifer Burr Altabef ’78, ’81; and Martin L. Flanagan ’82 at the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards celebration and dinner on November 7. IFC_SMUMag_04-R1.indd 2 2/18/20 9:50 AM SPRING Volume Seventy 02 2020 Features Departments To Our Readers 02 Features 04 SPRING 2020 News 12 CELEBRATING THE Alumni 30 Etc. 48 10 THINGSHAPPENING HERE Pg. 03 A FALL TO REMEMBER MUSTANG ATHLETICS GENERATED ITS Shaping SMU For A Changing World OWN EXCITEMENT ON CAMPUS: FROM A SMU celebrated unprecedented investments and exciting achievements last fall, 10-3 FOOTBALL SEASON (35 YEARS IN THE with two history-making gifts and an unforgettable football season. MAKING) TO ANOTHER MEN’S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP TO A WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL TEAM REGULAR SEASON FINISH IN FIRST PLACE IN THE AAC WEST. INSIDE THIS ISSUE SMU alumni don’t shy away from tough topics as they help create a climate of understanding and inclusiveness in our Unprecedented Gift Visionary Impact communities. Pastor Richie Butler ’93 The Moody Foundation made the A $50 million gift from Carolyn L. (left) leads honest largest gift in SMU history with a and David B. Miller ’72, ’73 to the conversations about $100 million commitment to create the Cox School of Business builds on their race relations; Ashlee Hunt Kleinert ’88 advocates University’s eighth degree-granting decades-long support of academics, for sex trafficking survivors; and school – the Moody School of Graduate athletics, scholarships and other areas. Hallie Hovey-Murray ’16 provides a and Advanced Studies. public voice for those with autism. Their stories begin on page 16. Photo by Hillsman S. Jackson page 04 page 07 01862-01-R1.indd 1 2/18/20 10:04 AM Big Things Are Happening Here Dallas-Fort Worth is one of the fastest- led to a $50 million commitment to the READERS growing metropolitan areas in the country. Cox School of Business, the largest single People move here for jobs, opportunities alumni gift in SMU history. We also and quality of life. Like our surrounding gathered to initiate a new strategic plan city, SMU embraces a world of people for our Lyle School of Engineering. and possibilities, creating a place that Through these unprecedented partner- everyone can call home. With that ships, we become an even more attractive inviting attitude, big things happen here, campus for potential students. exceeding expectations and clearing the Making people feel like they belong path for world-changing impact. comes naturally to us, but it is also strate- In the past few issues of SMU Magazine, gically nurtured. We seek out top- we have shared stories that highlight performing students from all walks of life our University’s key differentiators – and all parts of the world, knowing “Enterprising Spirit,” “Research With they’ll thrive here because all Mustangs Impact” and “SMU, Dallas and Beyond.” are valued. This issue of the magazine This edition looks at another defining illustrates how living, studying and characteristic: our “Welcoming Commu- socializing with fellow students of many President R. Gerald Turner nity.” It takes note of the breadth of backgrounds in our Residential Commons backgrounds and experiences that makes enhance our students’ college experience. individuals fighting to overcome major us dynamic and the purposeful connec- And we take a moment to celebrate the life challenges. tions that make a difference. success of several of our athletic teams SMU’s culture of inclusion embodies What happens on our campus magnifies that have drawn national attention and who we are as a University, where we opportunities for the greater community. reenergized Mustang pride. are in a cosmopolitan city and what we This fall, the vision and generosity of our Our commitment to having candid can do with a shared passion. Whether donors set the stage for a limitless future conversations and embracing diverse it is a student’s first day in class, an for our campus and beyond. In these perspectives creates graduates who take alum’s return for Homecoming, an out- pages, we celebrate the launch of our Uni- those values to their communities and of-town visitor’s trip to campus or a versity’s eighth degree-granting school, find their own ways of championing donor’s commitment to the school’s future, the Moody School of Graduate and tolerance, respect and inclusiveness. it is my hope that all feel more than Advanced Studies, made possible by a Pastor Richie Butler ’93, Ashlee Hunt welcome here. historic gift of $100 million from the Kleinert ’88 and Hallie Hovey-Murray ’16 Moody Foundation. You’ll also learn how are great examples of how our alumni David B. Miller’s 1968 basketball advocate for finding common ground on scholarship to SMU was the beginning of polarizing issues, open hearts and R. GERALD TURNER a long history with the University that minds to embrace change and support President VOL. 70, NO. 2 SPRING 2020 Designers The Matchbox Studio, Becky Wade Copyright © Southern Methodist University 2020 SMU MAGAZINE is published by the Office of Marketing Photography Hillsman Jackson, and Communications, Development and External Affairs, in Vice President for Development and Laura Graham ’17, Kim Leeson, Guy Rogers III, fall and spring for alumni and other friends of SMU. The Brad E. Cheves Office of Marketing and Communications retains the right to External Affairs Allison Slomowitz determine editorial and advertising content and manner of presentation. The opinions expressed in the magazine do Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Printer ColorDynamics not necessarily reflect official University policy. Letters to the Communications Regina Moldovan editor and contributions to the Class Notes section are welcomed. Send correspondence to: Editor, SMU Magazine, Editor Susan White ’05 Office of Marketing and Communications, PO Box 750174, Dallas TX 75275-0174; email: [email protected]. Senior Editor Patricia Ward Southern Methodist University (SMU) will not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, education activity, or admissions on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. SMU’s commitment Contributors Kim Cobb, Cherri Gann ’15, to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. The Executive Nancy George ’79, ’18, Catherine Womack ’08 Director for Access and Equity/Title IX1 Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies, including [ PAGE ] the prohibition of sex discrimination under Title IX. The Executive Director/Title IX Coordinator may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, [email protected]. Inquiries regarding the 2 application of Title IX may also be directed to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education. 1 Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681-1688. 01862-02-R1.indd 2 2/18/20 8:45 AM FEATURES WHAT A SPECTACULAR FALL IT WAS ON THE HILLTOP! IN THE PAGES THAT FOLLOW, WE CELEBRATE THE TRANSFORMATIVE INVESTMENTS AND EXCITING ACHIEVEMENTS SHAPING SMU FOR A CHANGING WORLD [ PAGE ] 3 10744_SMU_Spring2020_Miller-Moody_MECH.indd 3 2/14/20 9:12 AM FEATURES $100 M COMMITMENT CR SMU will take a major step forward in serv- ing the talent and research needs of a challenging world, thanks to a land- mark $100 million commitment from the Moody Founda- tion that will fund the University’s eighth degree-grant- ing school – the Moody [ PAGE ] School of Graduate 4 and Advanced Studies. 10744_SMU_Spring2020_Miller-Moody_MECH.indd 4 2/14/20 9:12 AM MILLION FEATURES REATES MOODY SCHOOL MOODY FOUNDATION MAKES LARGEST GIFT IN SMU HISTORY The Moody Foundation commitment is the provide competitive financial support coupled with exceptional resources will largest gift in SMU history. for graduate students produce on this campus, in the region and “We cannot overstate the power and reach • Endowment and operational funds to across Texas.” of this gift,” said SMU President R. Gerald recruit leading scholars conducting The Moody School will begin formal Turner. “This is a transformational moment world-changing research operations during the 2020-21 academic year. for SMU and Dallas, signaling that SMU • Endowment and operational funds to is a premier institution with the means to provide flexibility in stimulating inter- be a full partner in commercial and global disciplinary work problem-solving, and a pipeline for leaders • Construction of Moody Hall, to serve as to tackle those challenges. headquarters for the Moody School and “As the Texas economy booms, compa- facilitate faculty and student interaction nies and institutions look to universities that generates interdisciplinary research like SMU for innovative ideas, data- driven research and technology that can “The Moody Foundation exists to create opportunity,” Turner said. “The strengthen the future of Texas and Texans Moody School will be the portal to all of through big ideas like this one,” said Fran- our resources – the entry point for any ces Moody-Dahlberg '92, the Foundation’s SMU President R.