Whether it’s celebrating others’ successes or just being with each other, Jan and Fred Hegi’s family always seems to have fun. But when it comes to supporting a program or organization as a family, their smiles and laughter are just downright contagious.
Today it was announced that SMU and its President R. Gerald Turner have caught a big case of smiles thanks to the Hegi family’s commitment of $1M for the university’s Hegi Family Career Development Center in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center.
According to Gerald, “Jan, Fred and their family’s support continues to positively impact countless students during the most crucial point in their lives — their first steps toward a rewarding career. With this new gift, the Hegi Center will be able to provide even more relevant experiential learning and professional development opportunities for Mustangs to gain skills that will situate them for a productive and rewarding future.”
Thanks to the funding, the Center’s conference rooms and lobby will not only be modernized, but will also have the “addition of two new career counselors to equip students with skills that position them for professional success. The renovated space supported by the Hegi family’s gift, will incorporate the latest cutting-edge technology for student use in addition to providing more opportunities for Mustangs to hone their career skills. It will also allow for larger career fairs, enabling more corporations and employers to attend these popular events and network with SMU students.”
Fred recalled, “When our family was first approached by Dr. Turner in 1999 to help build a best-in-class career center, we were intrigued with the idea of construction of a place that would support SMU students, faculty and alumni not only on campus, but also throughout their careers as their vocational interests and needs evolved. My wife, sons (Peter Hegi and Brian Hegi), daughters-in-law (Amy Hegi and Libby Hegi) and I are excited to continue supporting the Hegi Center as it grows and expands to help Mustangs adapt, succeed and lead in their chosen professions.”
The Hegi family’s ongoing support of SMU should come as no surprise, since Jan and Fred met as freshmen pledges assigned to wash cars in the early 1960s. They’ve come a long way since those soak-and-suds days.
* Photo provided by Highland Park Education Foundation