Creating a Legacy of Gratitude

As a high school student trying to make one of life ’s biggest decisions, it can often be difficult to pinpoint exactly why one school feels more comfortable than another. For Diana Aguirre, she fell in love with SMU because it seamlessly combined a small, private school experience with the benefits and excitement of a large, technologically advanced city.

Once she arrived on the Hilltop, she immediately began to make an impact. She was a founder of the Pi Chapter of the Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority, an officer with College Hispanic American Students (CHAS) and a member of Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity. She also worked in the Admissions Office and was an avid fan of SMU’s football and basketball teams. Diana ’s entrepreneurial spirit was evident in the many ways she forged new paths and created new organizations. Even as an alumna, she is still founding new associations and continuing to embrace the importance of oncampus involvement. She helped found the SMU Hispanic Alumni Associates, served on the SMU Alumni Board and is a proud donor and member of the Mustang Club.

Most notable, though, is Diana ’s desire to give back. She received a full tuition Diversity Scholarship that enabled her to attend SMU. Now, she wants everyone to know that giving back is much easier than people think. According to her, “One of the biggest misconceptions about giving is that a small gift won’t make a difference, but it will.” In fact, as a way to thank SMU for believing in her enough to invest in her education, Diana created an estate gift and named SMU as a beneficiary.

When asked about her planned gift, Diana stated: “Through a planned gift, I’m able to make a greater impact and leave a legacy of gratitude. I also hope to inspire others to do the same.” She wants everyone to know that you don’t have to wait “until you retire to become a member of the Dallas Hall Society.”

So, when you see Diana on campus at the next Homecoming parade or at a football game, ask her about her time at SMU or her membership in the Dallas Hall Society. Let her inspire you to find a way to give back to a university that has given so much to so many.