Joe Beard named 2023 Silver Anniversary Mustang honoree

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Joe Beard Named 2023 Silver Anniversary Mustang Honoree

DALLAS (SMU) - The SMU Lettermen's Association's Board of Directors and its Silver Anniversary Mustang (SAM) Award Committee will honor Joe Beard as the recipient of the 2023 SAM Award on Saturday, March 2, at halftime of the SMU men's basketball game against UTSA. Beard was an All-SWC and honorable mention All-American guard for the Mustangs, helping the football program claim Southwest Conference Championships and National Championships in 1981 and 1982.

Beard is the President and CEO of Westdale Real Estate Investment and Management, which he co-founded in 1991. Westdale's focus on community development through commercial real estate investment, construction, and property management, has transformed communities across the United States, positively impacting the lives of thousands of tenants. In Dallas, Westdale played a major role in the transformation of Deep Ellum.

Beard began his career in real estate after graduating from SMU in 1983 with a degree in history and minors in political science and psychology. He is a principal donor to the Weber End Zone Complex, a strong supporter of the Letterman's Club, and is committed to the success of SMU Athletics as well as our communities. He has been selected as a distinguished business leader in Dallas and was named to the 1994 Dallas Business Journal's 40 Under 40.

Joe and his wife of more than 40 years, Sherry Hicks Beard, support causes and programs that benefit and promote youth development. These include: MISD Hunger Free Campaign, which sends nutritious food home with food insecure students over weekends and holiday breaks; the Midway Education Foundation, which generates and distributes resources for educational programs and projects; Inspiración, which promotes equity through empowering at-risk Hispanic families to break the cycle of poverty; Waco Family Medicine, which will welcome people in the Heart of Texas regardless of income or insurance status; and The Family Place, which empowers survivors of family violence by providing safe housing, counseling, and skills that create independence while building community engagement and advocating for social change to stop family violence.

Each year, the SMU Lettermen's Association Board of Directors awards the SAM Award to a former letterwinner at least 25 years removed from their time on campus. The recipient has brought honor to SMU, made contributions that have lasting and positive effects on his or her fellow citizens, and has been a model citizen in his or her community.

Tip is 2 p.m. at Moody Coliseum. Tickets are available at SMUMustangs.com/Tickets.