R. Gerald Turner, the president of Southern Methodist University, has won the 2016 Robert S. Folsom Leadership award, an annual recognition offered by the Methodist Health System’s philanthropic arm.
Turner is being honored for his work in launching a $1 billion gift campaign for the university, making it just one of 34 in the nation to reach that landmark. The Folsom award is named after the former Dallas mayor and recognizes an individual who has had a major impact in the community. Turner has served on the boards of the American Council on Education and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. He is a co-chair of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics and has served on the board of the Methodist Health System Foundation for years.
“We are very pleased to honor Dr. Turner with this prominent award. As the leader of my alma mater and a longtime Methodist supporter and board member, there is no one who understands the Methodist mission and values better than Dr.Turner,” said April Box, Methodist Health System Foundation President and CEO.
Turner will receive the award at the annual Folsom Event in October at the Hilton Anatole. Over the past 10 years, the event has helped generate more than $14 million to go toward offsetting Methodist’s costs of care. The system provided north of $110 million in unreimbursed charity care in 2015 alone.
