Thursday, January 29, 2026

Introducing SMU Today

This new monthly digest brings together updates, information and achievements for SMU faculty and staff in one easy-to-read place.

SMU Today is part of the University’s effort to strengthen campuswide connection and employee engagement. During this initial three-edition pilot phase (January, February, March), we may test the format and content mix — and your feedback will help us shape it into a permanent resource that truly serves our community.

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What to know today

SMU earns distinction: The University was awarded the 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, recognizing its commitment to meaningful partnerships with the city of Dallas and beyond.

Transformative gift elevates SMU's future: SMU received a landmark commitment from the O’Donnell Foundation to launch a new interdisciplinary energy program and create an academic honors fund for high-achieving students. The investment, which could exceed $60 million once fully funded, will elevate student excellence and strengthen SMU’s leadership in high-impact fields.

SMU launches new B.A. in video game development: Starting fall 2026, SMU will offer a bachelor of arts in video game development, extending the renowned expertise of Guildhall into the undergraduate experience. The program will blend foundational art skills with hands-on work in real-time 3D game engines.

Updated department names: The Office of Institutional Access and Equity (IAEA) is now the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO). International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is now The International Office (IO).

Around the Hilltop

Academic Excellence and Research

Cox School of Business real estate teams delivered standout results this fall, earning top national and international finishes across three major competitions — including first place nationally at Cornell, a win at IREM Dallas, and a second-place finish by graduate students at the UT National Real Estate Challenge.
Political scientist Avshalom M. Schwartz at the Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences has been honored as a term member of the American Academy of Sciences and Letters, a national recognition reserved for rising scholars of distinction.
SMU’s largest-ever Three Minute Thesis competition took place this past November, featuring 34 students from 19 programs in the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies. The competition tested students’ ability to share their research in clear, concise, and engaging ways, culminating in four winners.

Arts, Culture and Scholarship

Meadows School of the Arts Professors Brian Molanphy and Daniel Rios Rodriguez are presenting major exhibitions in Taiwan and San Antonio, highlighting the work and global presence of Meadows’ artist-scholars.
The Perkins School of Theology expanded access to its Master of Divinity program through a new accelerated partnership with McMurry University.
The George W. Bush Presidential Museum is featuring items from sports legends like Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, and other members of the 2011 NBA championship team as part of its exhibit, Game Changer: United by Sports, presented by Garry Weber.

Innovation, People and Community Impact

The Simmons School of Education and Human Development has appointed Ryan Cole as its inaugural assistant dean of enrollment management, a newly created leadership role designed to strengthen recruitment and enrollment strategy.
Dedman School of Law donors met the Stanton Foundation challenge, securing more than $6 million to endow the First Amendment Clinic – strengthening hands-on student learning, advancing constitutional scholarship, and sustaining vital community legal advocacy.
A major software gift to the Lyle School of Engineering expands access to industry-standard tools, strengthening interdisciplinary research and hands-on engineering education.

Community Notes

Football announces 2026 schedule
SMU Football announced its 2026 schedule on Monday. The season opens with a Monday night game on Labor Day at Florida State in Tallahassee on September 7.

Nominate a Mustang
The Hilltop Excellence Awards are SMU's most prestigious awards ceremony, annually recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of students, faculty, and staff at SMU. Submit your nominations by February 1.

Renovation receives two national accolades
The renovation of Smith-Perkins Hall, led by the Office of Facilities, Planning and Management, was recognized with two 2025 DBIA National Awards: the National Award of Merit and the Restoration Excellence Award.

DART construction through March
Lane closures near campus on the east side of U.S. 75 along Mockingbird Lane are in place through at least March and may cause delays or detours for those passing through the area. The SMU Express Red 440 Shuttle route and stops have been adjusted accordingly and are viewable via Passio Go.

Upcoming change to two-step authentication
Microsoft Authenticator will be replacing Duo Security. Prompts for you to make the change begin February 11; setup will be required after February 25. Switching early, however, can help you avoid disruptions.

New resource for commonly requested data
University Decision Support launched new public Tableau dashboards with key data such as enrollment, graduation rates, and degrees awarded, plus interactive trends over time.

Leadership perspectives highlight fall’s SMU Magazine
Check out the latest issue, featuring messages from University leadership and stories about current students and alumni making an impact on the Hilltop and beyond.

Athletics launches "Mustang Partners"
The newly-launched Mustang Partners unifies revenue, NIL and brand strategy to grow partnerships, strengthen storytelling and position SMU Athletics for the evolving collegiate sports landscape.

SMU in the News

Dallas Business Journal: Influential pros to know in 2026 (President Jay Hartzell mentioned) read more

CBS News: SMU sophomore debuts on “Jeopardy” read more

Dallas Innovates: SMU researchers scale juicebox-sized infrasound sensor to expand field research read more

Curious about other SMU headlines each week? Email news@smu.edu with the word “subscribe” to join our SMU in the News list

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