SMU to Honor Gerald Alley at Annual Awards Dinner

The Dallas university will present its Distinguished Alumni Award to the business leader this Thursday.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Awards

Historic brick and limestone collegiate building facade at sunset with manicured landscaping and autumn ivy. — Southern Methodist University will present the Distinguished Alumni Award to business leader Gerald Alley at an annual awards dinner this Thursday in Dallas. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Southern Methodist University will honor Dallas business leader Gerald Alley with its Distinguished Alumni Award this Thursday. The university event recognizes alumni for outstanding character and achievement.

Why it matters

The honor highlights the significant contributions of alumni to both the academic community and the broader business landscape. It serves as a recognition of long-term professional success paired with philanthropic commitments.

Gerald Alley founded the firm Con-Real in 1979 and has since overseen the completion of more than 3,000 projects. His family foundation currently provides scholarships to over 300 students.

The players

Gerald Alley

He is the founder of Con-Real and a former member of the Southern Methodist University Board of Trustees.

Southern Methodist University

This private research university is located in Dallas and maintains a long-standing alumni awards program.

The details

The Distinguished Alumni Award is presented by the SMU president and the Alumni Board to celebrate individuals who demonstrate extraordinary achievement. Recipients like Alley are chosen for their commitment to good citizenship and character.

1975: Gerald Alley earned an MBA from SMU.
1979: Gerald Alley founded the construction firm Con-Real.
2025: Alley received the Arlington Visionary Award.
Thursday: SMU holds its Distinguished Alumni Award dinner.

Culture Shift

This recognition follows the long-standing pattern set by the Distinguished Alumni Award in celebrating lifetime professional achievements. It highlights the growing importance of alumni philanthropy in shaping the modern higher education environment.

The event reinforces the connection between Dallas-based alumni and current students who benefit from scholarship programs. Residents may experience temporary local traffic changes near the SMU campus during the Thursday dinner.

The takeaway

Recognizing career achievements can inspire current students to align their professional goals with community service. Alumni can look to support local scholarship foundations to foster educational opportunities in their fields.