From recruitment to graduation and beyond, students succeed through our investment in critical support networks:

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Fundamental to student success are scholarships, and other forms of financial aid that give students full access to all Southwestern has to offer, opening doors to students who have the desire to learn and excel. Students can focus on their education rather than on financial worries and, after graduation, can pursue a graduate degree or a career without substantial debt burdens.

Advising

Faculty and staff advisors are constants in the lives of successful students, helping them hone a course of study, flourish throughout their academic journey, and stay on track to Commencement Day. Through collaborative relationships, advisors help students understand the structure and purpose of Southwestern’s curriculum and how it connects other experiences such as research, internships, study abroad, and community service. Ultimately students learn how to identify personal and professional goals and how to use institutional resources to meet those goals.

High-Impact Experience

You can also support student success by giving every student a chance to gain real-world experiences through internships, study abroad, or community service. You can also contribute to Southwestern’s nationally recognized faculty-mentored research opportunities, where students learn to problem solve and design unique solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Residential Experience

A fully engaged student does better academically and is more likely to stay on track to graduation. Our residence halls bring together resources from across campus that provide stimulating learning experiences personalized to residents’ needs and interests from academic achievement to career readiness.

Wellness & Vibrant Campus

Wellness of mind and body is also critical to student success. To remain competitive in attracting and retaining top students, Southwestern is committed to creating a more lively and attractive campus where students will fully embrace their home away from home. We encourage students to participate in campus life and make new friends by competing in 22 intramural sports and two club sports, by joining one of our nearly 100 clubs and organizations, or pledging to a Greek organization. For students struggling with mental health issues or everyday stresses, our caring team at the Counseling Center provides a variety of confidential counseling services.

Success After Graduation

Our students are the next generation of leaders and innovators who will take on the challenges and opportunities that will face our communities. You can contribute to their success by helping Southwestern further enhance its Center for Career & Professional Development, which helps launch students into successful careers and other pursuits while also supporting them as alumni committed to lifelong learning and a desire to continue growing throughout their careers. 

Athletics

Southwestern is committed to the principles of amateur athletics, promoting physical and mental wellness while stressing leadership, team-building and sportsmanship. Our student-athletes compete in NCAA Division III basketball, cross-country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, and track and field for men and women; men’s baseball and football; and women’s softball and volleyball.

Top universities are known for world-class faculty who nurture and inspire high-achieving students. Attracting and supporting the very best faculty requires significant investments in teaching and research facilities that meet 21st-century needs.

Competition for faculty and students is keen, so we must continually strive to ensure that our classrooms, research facilities, and gathering places are of the highest quality. Key investments include:

Mood-Bridwell Hall

The 1908 Mood-Bridwell Hall, which is on the National Register of Historic Places after a major renovation, will dazzle a new generation of students and faculty with a skylit central atrium, updated and expanded classroom spaces, and even a coffeehouse. Historically a favorite gathering place, the upper terrace will be reopened for outdoor classroom use and social gatherings.

Additional Academic Building Upgrades

A centerpiece of our academic buildings, the A. Frank Smith Library is a mix of old and new. A much-needed renovation of the original 1939 Cody Library and a reconfiguration of the 1988 addition will provide students with the latest research tools while also serving as a quiet place to study or attend a student club meeting. Southwestern is also looking to complete classroom upgrades that will provide faculty with the latest in teaching technology. It is critical that we stay ahead of the curve in this area as we prepare students for careers and other opportunities in the Digital Age.

Residence Halls

Two new residence halls specifically designed for the needs of 21st century students will help redefine campus life at Southwestern. A first-year residence hall will be located near a new welcome center and essential student services on the east side of campus. The first-year student complex will be ideal for familiarizing incoming students and their families as well as showcasing student life to prospective students. An additional residence hall, to be located near the Chapel, will serve the needs of second-year students.

Athletic Facilities

Recruiting the best student-athletes challenges us to provide those amenities that make us competitive on the field. Better facilities like the women’s locker room renovation and the construction of a multi-purpose athletics complex will attract more students to participate in the spirit life of campus.

Every gift, large and small, contributes to the continued success of the University, and most importantly, furthers the goals and outcomes of our exceptionally talented students. Make an annual or recurring gift that aligns with the things you value most at Southwestern. Your investment in Southwestern strengthens name recognition, impacts visibility, and adds value to every graduate’s degree.

Our momentum, and our success, depends on the generous support of our alumni, parents, and friends.

Southwestern Fund

To support the areas of greatest need in the most responsive way possible, a strong and growing Southwestern Fund is crucial to the University’s financial health.

Current Restricted Program Support

Interested in giving to something not currently mentioned? A gift to any academic department and other programs helps keep Southwestern competitive in the academic marketplace.

Parent Leadership Gift Council

The Parent Leadership Gift Council offers parents of current students the opportunity for meaningful engagement with University leadership, faculty and staff, and fellow parents, during their student’s time on campus and beyond. Members commit to an annual gift of $2,500 or more to support any campus program or initiative that enhances the educational and co-curricular experience for our students.

The Pirate Fund

Collegiate athletics is an important part of the Southwestern Experience for one-third of our 1,500 students. We have 20 NCAA DIII Teams, across 12 different sports. Donations to the Pirate Fund can be directed to a specific athletic team, strength, and conditioning, athletic trainers, or to athletics in general.