SMU receives $2 million gift for speaker series, scholarships

An anonymous donor has given $2 million to Saint Mary’s. The largest gift ever received by its Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs will fund a major new Twin Cities speaker series and endowed scholarships for adult, non-traditional students.

The annual speaker series — featuring renowned guest speakers — will help raise visibility for the entire university in the Twin Cities, a most important market for both undergraduate and graduate programs.
Read more...Saint Mary’s will sponsor the event with its Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership, whose student and community programs emphasize the importance of ethical principles, morals, spirituality, and free enterprise. The event’s keynote speaker will present an award to an outstanding leader for his or her contributions to global ethical initiatives.

Brother Chancellor Louis DeThomasis expressed his “immense gratitude” to the anonymous donor, noting that this gift will allow us to bring a top-flight event to the Twin Cities that will spotlight the national need for ethical leadership. “We’re excited that the gift also will help the university in its mission to make life-changing education accessible and affordable,” he said.