SMU Today // July 9, 2026

Russell Martin Chosen to Lead Rees-Jones Library of the American West

SMU named Russell L. Martin III as the inaugural executive director of the Rees-Jones Library of the American West, a landmark research library currently under construction.

A nationally recognized scholar and longtime director of DeGolyer Library, Martin will lead the new library as it brings together two extraordinary collections of Western Americana, creating a premier destination for research, teaching and public engagement focused on the history and culture of the American West.

What to know today

Sophie Rohnke Joins SMU Leadership August 1: A partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Rohnke will become SMU's chief legal officer, oversee government relations, and serve as secretary to the Board of Trustees.

Remote Work Pilot Takes Place in July: Building on the pilot launched last fall, eligible staff may work remotely on July 10, 17, 24 and 31, with approval from their unit leader based on operational needs.

New SMU Today Landing Page Launched: The new resource for employees includes access to previous newsletter editions, along with information about how content is curated and a submission form for announcements.

Around the Hilltop

Academic Excellence and Research

Researchers in the Lyle School of Engineering found that driverless vehicles could ease traffic congestion and improve commutes across North Texas by 2045.
Twenty percent of the honorees in the Dallas Business Journal 2026 “40 Under 40 Awards” are SMU alumni, including five Cox School of Business graduates.

Arts, Culture and Scholarship

Meadows School of the Arts faculty, students and alumni will perform at the opening of the Basically Beethoven Festival, continuing the school's tradition of participation in the Dallas music festival.
SMU welcomed three sitting U.S. Supreme Court justices to campus in early May. In partnership with the Tate Distinguished Lecture Series, the Dedman School of Law welcomed Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Neil Gorsuch participated in separate programs hosted by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
The Rees-Jones Library of the American West has acquired the earliest known Juneteenth celebration broadside, pushing back the documented history of the holiday's printed commemorations by nearly two decades.

Innovation, People and Community Impact

Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences professor Beth Wheaton-Páramo led SMU's annual Human Trafficking Data Conference, bringing together researchers and practitioners to improve data that informs anti-trafficking efforts.
A partnership with Methodist Health System provides hospital employees and their families with certain tuition discounts, including for online graduate degree programs through the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.
Terre Duchesne McGill, a Master of Divinity student at Perkins School of Theology, applied her theological training to help lead disaster relief and recovery efforts after a tornado struck her community.
The Simmons School of Education’s Budd Center partnered with KERA and Dallas College to help families across South and West Dallas build literacy, STEM and school readiness skills through the Parent Zone series.

Community Notes

Student Affairs Leadership Transition
Associate V.P. for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Mindy Sutton will depart SMU to UT Tyler in August. A national search for her successor will begin in the coming weeks.

SMU Magazine Spring Edition Available Now
Explore the Spring 2026 issue of SMU Magazine for stories highlighting the people and initiatives shaping the University's next chapter.

World Cup Training Continues
As a proud FIFA World Cup training site, SMU is welcoming teams to campus through July 15. Practices are not open to the public. Please allow extra travel time near Washburne Stadium.

Athletics & College Sports Co Launch Mustang Studios
The new athlete-driven media platform gives student-athletes opportunities to create original content and connect with fans.

Mustang Partners Announces $1 Million Gift
Former Mustang Joe Beard '83 and his wife, Sherry, committed $1 million to SMU's Student-Athlete Benefit Fund, supporting resources that help student-athletes succeed on and off the field.

Parking Reminder
Park Cities Plaza, located at the intersection of Mockingbird Lane and N. Central Expressway, actively enforces parking restrictions. Vehicles left on the property after visiting off-site locations are subject to towing.

Update Emergency Contacts
Review your emergency contact information in my.SMU and make any needed updates to ensure your records are current.

SMU in the News

Dallas Morning News: President Jay Hartzell’s op-ed made the case that thoughtful federal regulation is needed in college athletics

Dallas Morning News: The Dallas Morning News hosted panel on the future of higher education atSMU. It featured Simmons School Dean Michael Harris, professor Sondra Barringer, and other leaders in higher education.

CNN International: SMU senior research fellow Michael Polcyn was featured for helping identify Tylosaurus rex, a newly recognized species of giant marine reptile.

The New York Times: An SMU DataArts study on the financial challenges facing museums was featured in a story examining how immersive entertainment venues are reshaping the museum landscape.

Curious about other SMU headlines each week? Email news@smu.edu with the word “subscribe” to join our SMU in the News list. (Note: some of the links in the SMU-in-the-News section may require a subscription.)

CONNECT WITH US!

SMU.EDU