Just received the announcement:
January 7, 2025
Dear SMU Community,
It is our distinct honor, as Chair and Vice Chair of the SMU Board of Trustees and co-chairs of the Presidential Search Committee, to announce the election of Dr. Jay Hartzell as the next president of SMU. Dr. Hartzell is a well-respected academician and higher education leader with a strong track record of accomplishments that make him the ideal candidate to build upon the tremendous energy and momentum we are experiencing here on the Hilltop.
As the current president of The University of Texas at Austin – our state’s premier public flagship university and one of the leading research universities in the world – Dr. Hartzell has the experience and vision that will help propel SMU to even greater heights in the future. During his time as president of UT Austin, he has led the university to record-breaking applications, enrollment, research funding and philanthropic support while advancing new degree programs and key fields like advanced computing, energy and artificial intelligence.
Dr. Hartzell, a seasoned faculty member and former dean of UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business, understands the transformative impact higher education plays in the lives of students, employees, alumni and the broader community. His commitment to excellence in academics, research, student life, service and intercollegiate athletics positions him extremely well to serve as SMU’s eleventh president.
We invite you to read more about Dr. Hartzell’s background and what others are saying about this remarkable moment in SMU’s history online here.
On behalf of the entire SMU Board of Trustees, we wish to thank members of the Presidential Search Committee for their invaluable assistance in identifying our next president. We also express gratitude to many of you – our students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters – who took the time to participate in one of our campus listening sessions or who sent us your feedback online. Your thoughts and perspectives helped us immeasurably during the search process.
We are fortunate to have benefited from the outstanding leadership of Dr. R. Gerald Turner, who will transition to the role of President Emeritus, supporting the new president and the University's development and external affairs. His incredible stewardship and care of SMU over the past three decades have helped transform the University into the very special place that it is for so many of us, the city of Dallas, our state and nation. The Board of Trustees and the entire SMU community are grateful for his and Gail’s enduring commitment and service.
We look forward to welcoming Dr. Hartzell, his wife, Kara, and their family to the Hilltop when he assumes the presidency on June 1, 2025.
Now is a pivotal time in the life of our great University, and we invite you to share in the excitement and optimism for the remarkable achievements and excellence that lie ahead for SMU.
Sincerely,
David B. Miller ’72, ’73
Chair, SMU Board of Trustees
Co-Chair, Presidential Search Committee
Richard K. Templeton
Vice Chair, SMU Board of Trustees
Co-Chair, Presidential Search Committee