Southern Methodist University to Receive 45 Million Dollar Grant

DALLAS (AP) — A Dallas foundation is giving Southern Methodist University a $45 million grant for the school's museum and arts school.

The gift from the Meadows Foundation is the largest single donation in SMU's 100-year history. The president and CEO of the foundation, Linda Perry Evans, who's great-niece of Meadows Museum founder Algur Meadows, tells AP it's also the biggest gift the foundation ever has made.

Dallas businessman and philanthropist Meadows established the foundation in 1948. In 1962, his first donation established the museum at SMU to house Spanish art.

The donation announced Monday brings to $145 million the amount of money given to the school by the foundation.

The Meadows Museum will get $25 million. The Meadows School of the Arts will get $20 million.