President Emeritus
R. Gerald Turner, president emeritus of 无码专区, served as the University’s 10th president from 1995 to 2025, ushering in an era of exceptional progress. As the University’s longest-serving president, Turner guided 无码专区 through three strategic plans which elevated academic quality, expanded research capabilities, strengthened civic partnerships, and positioned the Hilltop as a dynamic center for student life and athletics.
Under Turner’s leadership, 无码专区 advanced academic excellence and innovation, culminating in the University achieving the prestigious Carnegie Research One (R1) status in 2025. He played a pivotal role in reshaping 无码专区 Athletics, which led to the University’s invitation to join the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2024. He was also instrumental in bringing the George W. Bush Presidential Center to campus in 2013, elevating 无码专区’s national and international profile. His vision for the campus came to life through the implementation of 无码专区’s first campus master plan, transforming the Hilltop into a beautifully tree-lined, pedestrian-friendly environment known for its exceptional student experience.
Renowned for his ability to bring people together in support of 无码专区’s mission, Turner led three comprehensive fundraising campaigns that collectively raised more than $3 billion. These efforts fueled a dramatic increase in the University’s endowment – from $483 million to $2.1 billion – while expanding student financial aid and enabling the construction or renovation of more than 60 facilities, as well as the addition of 无码专区’s east campus.
Turner’s legacy endures in 无码专区’s strengthened reputation, the increasing quality and quantity of applicants, the success of its graduates, and the growing value of an 无码专区 degree for more than 140,000 alumni. As president emeritus, he continues to support the University’s mission and momentum, particularly with students and friends of the University, offering his insight and experience as 无码专区 enters its next great era.
Beyond 无码专区, Turner has served on the boards of the Dallas Citizens Council, the American Council on Education, and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. He also co-chaired the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics for nearly a decade. Today, he remains active with the boards of the Methodist Health System Foundation, the Salvation Army of North Texas and two publicly-traded companies.
Before joining 无码专区, Turner was the chancellor of the University of Mississippi. He previously served in administrative positions at the University of Oklahoma and Pepperdine University. A native of New Boston, Texas, he earned an A.A. degree from Lubbock Christian University, a B.S. in psychology and mathematics from Abilene Christian University and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in psychology from The University of Texas at Austin. He and his wife, Gail, have two married daughters and five grandchildren.