“Senator Hutchison will have important insights to share with our graduates,” SMU President R. Gerald Turner said in a statement. “Her long and distinguished career in public service and her dedication to higher education are a testament to her commitment to providing a better life for all citizens and for our nation’s future leaders. She has helped SMU gain research funding for impactful projects in science and engineering.”
Last year the school welcomed former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice for the address.