SPOTLIGHT ON...
SMU Unbridled 100
Contact: Suzanne Massey, Director of Community Outreach
Share with us a brief history of the founding of SMU:
Southern Methodist University originated as a bold vision shared by church, civic and education leaders. Although the university's location was initially undecided, land and funds provided by the Caruth, Armstrong, and Daniel families, strengthened the Dallas bid. On April 17, 1911, the charter was signed establishing SMU in Dallas. Southern Methodist University was meant to be a new breed of university -- centrally located in an urban center and European-styled with a premier school of arts and sciences surrounded by professional schools. SMU was also designated to be nonsectarian in its teaching while cherishing the spiritual and moral values of the church.
Looking back on the past century, what were some of the most memorable moments:
Since the opening of SMU's first classrooms in 1915, the university has celebrated momentous occasions for students, faculty, and institutions alike. In 1948, three-time All-American running back, Doak Walker, won the Heisman trophy -- a first in SMU history. In 1969 SMU's school of arts was officially named in honor of benefactor Algur H. Meadows. Recently, the Meadows School of Arts was named the top music school in the country by USA Today College. One of the most memorable moments in SMU history occurred in 1980 when SMU graduate, James Cronin, won the Noble Prize in Physics. The university grew with the opening of the SMU-in-Plano campus in 1997 and with the return of SMU football to the Dallas campus in the year 2000.
More recently, in 2013, the George W. Bush Presidential Center opened on the SMU campus. This center -- consisting of a library, museum, and an independent institute --was a huge honor for SMU to receive over six other competitors. Although SMU is proud of all the memorable moments from the past one hundred years, the university believes the best is yet to come.
How can we celebrate this momentous milestone with SMU:
To commemorate the Centennial Anniversary, SMU is hosting several events on campus. A few of these events include: the Homecoming Parade on September 25th, the Celebration of Lights on November 30th, and various exhibits at the Meadows Museum and Bush Center. To find out more, please visit www.smu.edu/100. Let's celebrate SMU's Centennial together.