Carolyn L. and David B. Miller ’72, ’73 have made history with a $50 million gift to Southern Methodist University’s Edwin L. Cox School of Business.
“For decades, the range and depth of Carolyn and David’s leadership and dedication have strengthened every part of our University,” said SMU President R. Gerald Turner. “We thank the Millers for their remarkable gift. Their investment will amplify the long-term strategic plan for SMU’s top-ranked Cox School of Business and its facilities, students, faculty and programs. As a result, we’ll prepare tomorrow’s business leaders for success in the global economy.”
David Miller is co-founder and managing partner of EnCap Investments L.P. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business from SMU and was a standout on the varsity basketball team. He has served on the SMU Board of Trustees for 11 years, currently as vice chair.
“SMU has been tremendously important in my own life and that of my family,” Miller said. “This gift is an investment in its future. We’re excited to support Cox’s forward-focused vision for advancing business education and developing talented business leaders.”
The Millers’ latest commitment will support the School’s strategic plan. The plan seeks to enable the Cox School to modernize its curriculum, offer more and broader scholarships to attract the world’s best business students, collaborate across the SMU campus on new interdisciplinary programs and enhance its facilities. It also aspires for the school to extend community outreach to develop corporate partnerships and expand inclusivity.
The Millers’ previous Cox School support includes the David B. Miller Endowed Professorship; the Don Jackson Center for Financial Studies, named after a former professor who inspired Mr. Miller as a student; the MBA-Military Scholarships; and the David Miller Endowed Scholarship Fund. They also have contributed to the creation of the Cox School’s EnCap Investments & LCM Group Alternative Asset Management Center. The highly competitive program trains top-notch undergraduate business majors in application-oriented private equity/investment banking. It also connects them with industry professionals through events and internships. SMU alumni of the program credit its rigor with helping them land jobs at top firms.
With their historic support, the Millers hope to inspire others to join the momentum propelling the Cox School’s strategic initiatives. “We’re going to keep expanding the influence of our nationally and internationally ranked business school,” said Matthew B. Myers, Cox School dean and Tolleson Chair in Business Leadership. “We are thankful for the support from accomplished leaders like the Millers, who understand the value that a strong business school brings to a dynamic, evolving global city.”
EnCap Investments is a private equity firm, specializing in the oil & gas industry.