Gift from Crain Foundation to provide Centennial Promenade at SMU
A Crain Foundation gift will create a promenade from Hughes–Trigg to the new Residential Commons.
The Crain Family Centennial Promenade will add a highly visible and convenient passageway for the campus community and visitors to sites including the George W. Bush Presidential Center, Moody Coliseum, Collins Executive Education Center and Blanton Student Services Building.
“Crain family members have long-standing ties to SMU, and we are grateful for their vision and generosity in providing this beautiful addition to the campus,” said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. “The Crain Family Centennial Promenade will serve as an appropriate capstone to new construction taking place now and into 2015, when we celebrate the 100th anniversary of SMU’s opening.
“In addition to the quality of SMU’s programs, the beauty of our campus is a major attraction to prospective students,” Turner added. “The addition of this promenade makes the campus more pedestrian-friendly, an attribute that helps build a sense of community.”
The Crain Foundation previously gave funds for construction of a fountain on the plaza in front of the Blanton Student Services Building, which opened in 2003. The Crain Fountain provides an impressive focal point at the intersection of SMU Boulevard and Airline Road.
SMU maintains a special place in the hearts of the Crain family. With SMU ties spanning three generations, the Crain family is proud to support the tradition of excellence at SMU.
The Crain Foundation gift counts toward the $750 million goal of SMU Unbridled: The Second Century Campaign, which to date has raised more than $610 million to support student quality, faculty and academic excellence and the campus experience. The campaign is part of SMU’s commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the University’s founding in 1911 and its opening in 1915.
Members of the SMU community — alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents and friends — may participate in the centennial commemoration by contributing $100 toward pavers for the Crain Family Centennial Promenade. The pavers will be customized with wording specified by each donor.
SMU will celebrate its second annual Founders’ Day April 20-21, 2012, with a series of special events for parents, alumni and friends of the University. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of Dallas Hall, which began SMU’s tradition of Collegiate Georgian architecture.
 The location of the new Crain Family Centennial Promenade is indicated by the blue box. |
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