For decades, Edwin “Ed” L. Cox, Sr. ’42, worked tirelessly to make the Edwin L. Cox School of Business among the best business schools in the country. Through Mr. Cox’s leadership, guidance and generosity, the Cox School has attracted many of the nation’s top scholars and faculty members and is consistently ranked as one of the premier business education destinations in the U.S. and the world. This fall, to help commemorate 100 years of business education at SMU, the Cox School honored Ed Cox with its inaugural Cox Visionary Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions to the business community.

Edwin L. Cox Sr.
Left to right: SMU Vice President for Development and External Affairs Brad Cheves; Edwin L. Cox’s grandsons John and Brad Cox; SMU Board of Trustees member and Cox Executive Board Chair David Miller; Edwin L. Cox’s grandson Justin Cox, holding the Cox Visionary Award; SMU President R. Gerald Turner; Cox School Dean Matthew B. Myers

The award was presented to him on Oct. 15 at a special socially distanced gala celebrating Mr. Cox and business education at the School named in his honor 42 years ago. The presentation was the focal point of the long-awaited event, originally slated for April but postponed because of the pandemic. The School presented the award in honor of his “exemplary leadership of the highest caliber and because of his exceptional foresight and strategic outreach, and the positive change he has effected in the world that will resonate far into the future.” Cox School Dean Matthew B. Myers expressed his thanks for the Dallas icon’s leadership and support of the Cox School: “Ed Cox exemplified the vision, civic engagement and can-do spirit that inspired the best in all of us and continue to shape the business world changers of tomorrow.”

Visit coxtoday.smu.edu for more photos of Edwin “Ed” L. Cox, Sr. and the Cox 100 Gala.