Pony Power 2019-06-06T13:14:46-06:00

Big things happen when Mustangs band together. And here’s our proof: In the first two years of SMU’s three-year Pony Power: Strengthening the Stampede initiative, more than 28,000 donors have generated more than $109 million in support that directly impacted today’s students and faculty.

Pony Power is about effecting real change. Right now. And it’s working. One year in, we’ve already shared countless stories of students and faculty who were able to make breakthrough discoveries, respond to unexpected challenges and use their knowledge to advance the world around them. Pony Power gifts are designated for current use – meaning they provide flexible support that SMU can use immediately, in the year it is received to advance the cause of shaping world changers.

Learn more about the impact of current-use funds below, and answer the call for support by making your gift today.

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Big things happen when Mustangs band together. And here’s our proof: In year one of SMU’s three-year Pony Power: Strengthening the Stampede initiative, more than 16,000 donors generated $57,694,300 in support that directly impacted today’s students and faculty.

Pony Power is about affecting real change. Right now. And it’s working. One year in, we’ve already shared countless stories of students and faculty who were able to make breakthrough discoveries, respond to unexpected challenges and use their knowledge to advance the world around them. Pony Power gifts are designated for current use – meaning they provide flexible support that SMU can use immediately, in the year it is received to advance the cause of shaping world changers.

Learn more about the impact of current-use funds below, and answer the call for support by making your gift today.

Your Dollars at Work

Perkins School of Theology

Initiated the Perkins Scholars program for outstanding Master of Divinity students, awarding $420,000 among 20 scholars over three years.

Bobby B. Lyle School of Engineering

Committed $2 million from the Hamon Charitable Foundation to expand summer engineering camps for underrepresented kids and establish college scholarships for attendees. The gift will support programming for 640 students and 52 teachers over five years.

Meadows School of the Arts

Installed a new HD camera system in the school’s creative spaces, allowing for HD recording and live streaming in Bob Hope Theatre and Lobby, Caruth Auditorium and O’Donnell Hall.

Simmons School of Education & Human Development

Raised $300,000 to support the PeopleForWords team’s participation in the Barbara Bush Adult Literacy XPRIZE competition, where they are developing new tools to help transform the lives of low-literate adults.

Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences

Completed construction on the school’s new Ancient DNA LAB with the addition of a highly secured research laboratory to support the work of Dr. K. Ann Horsburgh.

Athletics

Launched a statewide branding campaign that included an enhanced presence on billboards, DART trains and buses, Love Field airport, and local radio.

Pony Power Volunteer Leadership Committee

Co-chairs

  • Caren H. Prothro
  • Carl Sewell ’66

Honorary Co-chairs

  • Michael M. Boone ’63, ’67
  • Robert H. Dedman, Jr. ’80, ’84
  • Gerald J. Ford ’66, ’69
  • Kelly Hoglund Compton ’79
  • Ray L. Hunt ’65
  • David B. Miller ’72, ’73

Constituent Representatives

  • Alumni Board Chair
    Douglas C. Smellage ’77
  • Faculty Giving Chair
    Frederick I. Olness
  • Parent Giving Co-chairs
    Connie Blass O’Neill ’77 and J. Chris O’Neill ’75
  • Staff Giving Chair
    Jennifer M. Jones ’93, ’99
  • Student Giving
    Taylor Vinson ’19

School and Unit Representatives

  • Cox School of Business
    Kirk L. Rimer ’89
  • Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences
    Jon J. Altschuler ’94
  • Dedman School of Law
    Amy Abboud Ware ’87, ’90
  • Lyle School of Engineering
    Michael G. Sullivan ’85, ’91
  • Meadows School of the Arts
    Marvin B. Singleton ’89
  • Perkins School of Theology
    Dodee Frost Crockett ’03
  • Simmons School of Education and Human Development
    Richard H. Collins ’69
  • Athletics
    Paul Grindstaff, Jr. ’15

Ex Officio

  • SMU President
    R. Gerald Turner
  • SMU Vice President, Development and External Affairs
    Brad E. Cheves

Staff Liaison

  • Senior Executive Director,  Annual Giving and Alumni Relations
    Astria L. Smith, MTS ’15