SW Graduate School of Banking Announces Addition to Its Board of Trustees

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 27, 2026--

The SW Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at SMU Cox has added a new trustee to its board roster of highly respected advisors. Kit Sawers, inaugural CEO of Southern Methodist University’s (SMU) new Dallas Office and a vice president of the university, has joined the SWGSB board as the SMU representative.

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“We are honored to welcome Kit Sawers to our board of trustees. Her experience and perspective will strengthen SWGSB’s leadership and impact within the community banking industry,” said SWGSB President and CEO William T. Chittenden, Ph.D. “We look forward to her counsel as we build on our legacy and continue to elevate the educational experience we provide as the nation’s premier graduate school of banking.”

In her role at SMU’s Dallas Office, Sawers leads SMU’s engagement across the region, bringing together business development, executive and continuing education, research collaborations, and student career pathways.

Sawers most recently served as the president and CEO of Klyde Warren Park, one of the nation’s most successful urban parks, welcoming more than two million visitors annually. She brings deep experience advancing major initiatives that drive impact. Previously, Sawers was chief development officer for the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and founded Fay+Sawers Productions, where she produced major events, including the grand opening of Klyde Warren Park and programming tied to Super Bowl XLV. Earlier in her career, she spent a decade at SMU in leadership roles focused on academic programming and public engagement, including directing the Willis M. Tate Distinguished Lecture Series and the SMU Athletic Forum. A Dallas native, Sawers earned her B.A. from the University of Virginia and her J.D. from SMU Dedman School of Law.

ABOUT THE SW GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BANKING AT SMU COX

Since 1957, the nationally recognized SW Graduate School of Banking at SMU Cox (SWGSB) has educated and empowered community bankers in all positions, regulators, experienced, new, and aspiring bank directors, and other financial services professionals with knowledge and relationships that strengthen careers, organizations, and communities. SWGSB is a nationally recognized leader in banking and commercial lending education, bank management training, and bank director training programs. Learn more at swgsb.org or call 214.768.2991 for more information.

The SW Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) at SMU Cox has added Kit Sawers, inaugural CEO of SMU's new Dallas Office, as a trustee to its board roster of highly respected advisors.

TOKYO (AP) — A strong earthquake shook central Japan early Sunday, shattering store windows, causing people to flee buildings and leaving at least 22 people injured, according to local media.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency put the quake’s magnitude at 5.7, while the U.S. Geological Survey reported it at magnitude 5.5. Smaller aftershocks were reported.

A wide area near Aichi Prefecture was affected, including the city of Hamamatsu, the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara and nearby prefectures of Yamanashi, where Mount Fuji is located, as well as Gifu.

Japanese TV footage showed shattered store windows and scattered shards of glass on the streets. A bookstore was left with mounds of books that had flown off the shelves. The injuries included people who fell from stairs while they were trying to flee.

The quake, which struck at 1:04 a.m., was located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) below the earth's surface in Shizuoka Prefecture. Aichi and Shizuoka are neighboring regions. They are far enough from Tokyo that the quake was not felt there. The most violent shaking was felt in Aichi, according to official seismic assessments.

The meteorological agency warned people to brace for possible strong quakes in the coming week, especially the next two to three days.

“Please be on the lookout for mudslides, falling rocks and the possible effects from rainfall,” Ayataka Ebita, an agency official, told reporters.

He said no apparent change was detected so far to the Nankai Trough plate, where scientists say a megaquake can possibly hit.

The Shinkansen bullet trains were running at slower speeds in the affected areas as a precautionary measure. Sometimes quakes can damage the railways the trains run on.

Japan is located in an area that is prone to earthquakes. Authorities frequently instruct people to stock up on bottled water, food and batteries, have plans ready to hide under tables and keep comfortable walking shoes at hand.

Yuri Kageyama is on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@yurikageyama

A staff member of Japan’s Meteorological Agency speaks at a news conference in Tokyo Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, following a strong earthquake in central Japan. (Kenzaburo Fukuhara/Kyodo News via AP)