Dallas, Texas—July 2022—The SW Graduate School of Banking, Southern Methodist University (SWGSB-SMU), held its 2022 commencement on June 9th for Class 62, the 62nd class to fulfill the requirements of this graduate program renowned for its dynamic faculty, challenging curriculum, and exceptional student body from throughout the world. Brad Cheves, vice president for Development and External Affairs (DEA) at SMU, and SWGSB Foundation trustee, gave the commencement address on executive education’s role in leadership development; John Hope Bryant, renowned entrepreneur, thought and philanthropic leader of Operation HOPE, Inc., was this year’s keynote speaker. The top graduates received more than $25,000 in merit-based scholarships during their three years at SWGSB/SMU.
In making this announcement, the President and CEO of the SWGSB Foundation Jeffrey R. Schmid said:
“Through the ‘SWGSB Leadership Experience,’ the SW Graduate School of Banking provides its participants with the ‘big picture’ of banking. It gives them a true appreciation of the role they and others play in reaching the goals of the organization. This unique perspective not only advances their careers but also transforms the face of banking, especially as new challenges are overcome and new technological breakthroughs take shape. SWGSB is a powerful resource for the industry, augmenting financial institutions’ own efforts to build executive teams capable of managing and growing consumer wealth. The members of Class 62 – now equipped with this knowledge and the highest ethical standards – leave us fully prepared to lead their institutions, champion the strategies they’ve learned, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.”
In his keynote address, John Hope Bryant, considered America’s “Conscience of Capitalism,” spoke about leadership and the guiding principles of financial inclusion and social uplift. He emphasized the importance of helping all people in the “Invisible Class” become fully integrated into our nation’s economy – creating a win-win for all of the nation’s stakeholders.
At the keynote, two SWGSB Foundation trustees were honored by the SWGSB Alumni Association. J. Rogers Pope, Jr., vice-chairman and CEO of Texas Bank and Trust, received the Distinguished Alumni Award. Robert L. Clarke, Esq., of counsel at Bracewell, received the Distinguished Service Award.
The 2022 graduates represent more than 60 financial institutions in 7 states. They each have at least five years of banking experience, either in a financial institution or a federal or state regulatory agency. Most hold a senior level post in their organization, or are on a fast track within their management ranks. They have a fundamental knowledge—through education or experience—of bank operations, credit administration, accounting, financial statement analysis, and economics. These banking professionals also come to SWGSB with many past accomplishments and enthusiastic recommendations from their institutions’ leadership.
Among the graduate school’s sponsoring partners are the Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas bankers associations, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas, and SMU.
Established in 1957 – and celebrating its 65th anniversary this year – the SW Graduate School of Banking at the SMU Cox School of Business has become one of the top banking educational institutions today. It is a professional school for bank officers, regulators, and others holding management positions in the financial services industry. SWGSB-SMU meets two weeks annually over three years, bringing into focus and augmenting these managers’ on-the-job experience. Emphasis is placed on financial management, leadership development, and strategic planning.
At the forefront of disseminating information about the latest bank technology, the SWGSB educational experience also includes a new interactive website (www.swgsb.org) and an online bank simulation program called BankCEO. The SWGSB Foundation also conducts the prestigious Assemblies for Bank Directors, a series of annual seminars and workshops held throughout the United States, Canada and off shore for bank board members and senior officers. It partners with the American Bankers Association to conduct the ABA’s Foundational Commercial Lending School and Advanced Commercial Lending School. With the Independent Bankers Association of Texas, it conducts the Bank Operations Institute and the Certified Community Bank Director’s Program. SWGSB and SWGSB Foundation are headquartered at the James M. Collins Executive Education Center at Southern Methodist University’s Cox School of Business.
The top-ranked Cox School of Business offers a joint SWGSB-MBA program in which graduates of SWGSB who are accepted into the prestigious Cox MBA program earn up to six hours of credit towards a Cox MBA. No other graduate school of banking carries this endorsement from its host university. SWGSB has also formed MBA alliances with Sam Houston State University College of Business Administration and Indiana University Kelley School of Business. SMU ranks in the top 20 percent of the best national universities (U.S. News & World Report).
Those interested in attending the SW Graduate School of Banking (www.swgsb.org) – or in learning more about the school and other SWGSB Foundation programs—may write, call, or e-mail: SWGSB, SMU Box 214, Dallas, Texas, 75275; (214) 768-2991; info@swgsb.org.
– Thank You –