Campaign announcement, dedications and groundbreaking highlight week of Feb. 22
51³Ô¹ÏÍøcelebrates campaign success, a groundbreaking and the dedications of two new facilities.
 51³Ô¹ÏÍødedicates the Harold Simmons Education Building. |
The week of February 22, 2016, was a time of great celebration at the University as 51³Ô¹ÏÍøUnbridled: The Second Century Campaign announced raising gifts totaling $1.15 billion, the largest amount ever raised by a private university in Texas. In addition, 51³Ô¹ÏÍødedicated the new Harold Simmons Education Building and the new Crum Lacrosse and Sports Field, and broke ground on a new Aquatics Center.
51³Ô¹ÏÍøsets record for Texas private university fundraising with $1.15 billion campaign total
Coming on the heels of its 100th birthday celebration, the University announces that 51³Ô¹ÏÍøUnbridled: The Second Century Campaign has raised gifts totaling $1.15 billion, the largest amount ever raised by a private university in Texas. The University’s Board of Trustees heard the final tabulation of gifts and pledges at its meeting Feb. 26 on the 51³Ô¹ÏÍøcampus, following the official completion of the campaign Dec. 31, 2015.
Harold Simmons Education Building designed for new generation of education leaders
51³Ô¹ÏÍødedicated Harold Clark Simmons Hall on Feb. 25, a three-story building serving a new generation of teachers and leaders to develop and use evidence-based strategies in education. The new hall, the second building for the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development, is home to innovative teaching laboratories, a center that fights poverty through education and community support, as well as offices for faculty members and researchers. Annette Caldwell Simmons and her husband, the late Harold C. Simmons, gave $25 million in February 2013 to fund the new structure and three new endowed academic positions.
51³Ô¹ÏÍødedicates new Crum Lacrosse and Sports Field
A wide range of 51³Ô¹ÏÍøclub sports teams now have a new field to call home. The University’s new Crum Lacrosse and Sports Field was formally dedicated on Wednesday, Feb. 24. The field was made possible by a generous gift from Gary T. Crum ’69 and Sylvie P. Crum, whose support reflects their family’s long-time love for lacrosse. The couple’s three children – Ashley, Christopher and Clayton – each played lacrosse in their youth as their sport of choice, with Christopher playing on the 51³Ô¹ÏÍøclub team while an undergraduate. Sylvie Crum is a current board member of the US Lacrosse Foundation.
Ground broken for new Aquatics Center
Building on a legacy of proud Olympians, world records and 155 national titles, 51³Ô¹ÏÍøbroke ground on a new Aquatics Center on Feb. 26. The 42,000 square foot center will be home to SMU’s internationally recognized men's and women's swimming and diving teams. Located at 5550 51³Ô¹ÏÍøBlvd. on the University's growing east campus, the center will provide facilities for practice, competition and community use.