Dallas Hall Society

Southern Methodist University began as a dream of a handful of visionary individuals. They dreamed of a university on "the hilltop" which would stand for moral integrity and academic excellence.

That "handful" grew to encompass dedicated citizens of the young Dallas community and leaders of the Methodist Church. The group acted upon this dream. Their foresight resulted in the contribution of land on which to build a great university and the funds with which to construct its first building.

Dr. Robert S. Hyer, the first president of SMU, envisioned a building "…of such architectural beauty as to be worthy of the crowning feature of the campus" of a major university. When completed in 1915, Dallas Hall housed the entire university as well as a bank and barbershop.

Named "Dallas Hall" to honor those citizens of Dallas, Texas, who steadfastly led the effort to locate Southern Methodist University in Dallas, this domed red-brick building continues not only as the architectural focus of SMU’s collegiate Georgian campus but also the heart of its liberal arts educational core.

With its graceful lines and quiet strength, Dallas Hall still commands the central focus of campus and represents the legacy of those early visionaries. Thousands of students have been shaped by their ideals of academic excellence and high moral standards, graduating to become leaders of their businesses, communities and families.

The Dallas Hall Society was established in 1995 to recognize the generosity and foresight of those who join the university’s founders in securing the future of SMU. These individuals have embraced the vision for that future by establishing a deferred gift that will benefit SMU and its students and faculty in the future. The hallmark of this special group is the commitment of each of these supporters to a strong, financially sound university as it enters its second century of providing an exceptional educational opportunity to its students.

Membership in Dallas Hall Society is extended to an individual who:
1. includes SMU as beneficiary of his or her will;
2. names the university as the beneficiary of a life income gift such as a charitable gift annuity, a charitable remainder trust or a charitable lead trust;
3. names the university as the beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement plan;
4. makes a gift of a personal residence or farm to SMU, with a life estate retained for his or her use

Please join this group of dedicated individuals who have provided future gifts for SMU. For more information, contact the SMU's Office of Gift Planning at 214-768-1911.