SMU Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility

08/20/2026

We are proud to announce that the Maguire Center was awarded a near half-million-dollar Institutional Impact Grant from the Educating Character Initiative, a project of The Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest, to advance principled leadership at SMU.

The grant will launch The Heart of a Mustang, a campus-wide initiative to integrate character development throughout the undergraduate experience. Over the next three years, the initiative will support new courses and student programs, equip faculty and staff with resources for character education, and create more opportunities for students to learn and lead throughout Dallas.

To learn more about the project and what’s ahead at https://www.smu.edu/news/latest/largest-grant-in-maguire-ethics-center-history-will-advance-principled-leadership-at-smu

08/04/2026

We’re proud to recognize Dallas Citizen Council board member and programs committee co-chair Grant Moise as our featured member.

As publisher and CEO of The Dallas Morning News, Moise leads one of the nation’s leading news organizations, guiding its continued evolution while championing trusted journalism, innovation and community engagement. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a commitment to strengthening institutions that help Dallas thrive, from leading digital transformation efforts to advancing the future of local media.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Moise is engaged in civic and educational leadership across North Texas. He serves on the boards of the News Media Alliance, the TCU Neeley School of Business board of advisors and the SMU Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility, where he was recently named chair of the advisory board. Through these leadership roles, Moise continues to advance ethical leadership, strengthen civic institutions and invest in the next generation of leaders.

We’re grateful for Moise’s leadership and for the meaningful contributions he continues to make across Dallas, for our organization and throughout the region.

07/28/2026

The Maguire Ethics Center joins our community in mourning the passing of Tom Luce. A former member of the Ethics Center Advisory Board and the 2004 recipient of the J. Erik Jonsson Ethics Award, Tom generously shared his leadership, insight, and deep commitment to public service in support of our mission. We are grateful for his lasting contributions to the Center and extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched.

Thomas W. Luce III, one of the most prominent attorneys and public servants in Texas over the past 60 years, died Saturday of cardiac arrest, his son, Ken Luce said. He was in Telluride, Colo., to attend the wedding of his namesake grandson.

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/obituaries/article/tom-luce-prominent-texas-attorney-public-22360859.php

07/23/2026

Learn about how immigration policy shapes the everyday experiences of refugee and immigrant communities at The Human Experience: Immigration Policy in North Texas.

Maguire Public Service Fellow Muntaha Sabir, who is completing her fellowship with sponsoring organization Ma'ruf Dallas, will moderate a panel of legal experts, policymakers, and nonprofit leaders discussing the challenges families face during resettlement, including housing, education, employment, access to resources, and fear of deportation. The conversation will also examine recent policy developments and ways North Texas communities can continue supporting immigrant and refugee populations.

Friday, July 24 | 6:30 p.m. | 975 N Zang Blvd, Dallas, Texas, 75208

Register: https://donations.swiftgive.org/event/page/the-human-experience-immigration-policy-in-north-texas

06/08/2026

Meet our 2026 Maguire Public Service Fellows!

This summer, five SMU students will dedicate 200+ hours to service-driven projects with organizations in Texas and India. Their work will explore public service through healthcare education, immigration policy, disability employment, medical cannabis advocacy, faith, and regenerative farming.

We are proud to support Tripp Gulledge, Tanya Harathi , Muntaha Sabir, Halle Tarvin, and Maddie Wiltse as they begin their summer of service!

Follow along this summer to learn more about each fellow and their project.

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05/06/2026

In our latest Living the Good Life blog post, first-year Student Advisory Board member Emily Schandlbauer writes about navigating new spaces, expectations, and identities and how choosing authenticity, even when it’s uncomfortable, has shaped her understanding of a meaningful life.

Read her post at https://blog.smu.edu/maguireethics/2026/05/05/living-unfiltered/

04/30/2026

The 2026 J. Erik Jonsson Ethics Award Luncheon honoring Abigail and Todd Williams brought together a community dedicated to advancing ethics and public responsibility in Dallas and beyond.

The Maguire Center at SMU is grateful for the support that made the day possible and for those committed to preparing the next generation of principled leaders.

Thank you to all who joined and supported the luncheon, and we look forward to seeing you again next year.

04/16/2026

Our 2026 J. Erik Jonsson Ethics Award Recipients, Abigail Williams, Founder of United to Learn, and Todd Williams, Chairman and CEO of The Commit Partnership, share their thoughts on Ethical Leadership.

04/16/2026

The SMU Maguire Ethics Center is proud to honor Abigail and Todd Williams with the 2026 J. Erik Jonsson Ethics Award.

04/16/2026

We're honored to have Jay Hartzell, President of SMU, here at the 2026 J. Erik Jonsson Ethics Award Luncheon to reflect on the role of ethics in leadership and higher education.