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Southern Methodist University

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Southern Methodist Universty
File:Smu logo.gif
MottoVeritas Liberabit Vos
(The Truth Shall Set You Free)
TypePrivate
Established1911
Endowment$1,013,703,336
PresidentR. Gerald Turner
Undergraduates6,208
Postgraduates4,693
LocationUniversity Park, Texas, USA
CampusUrban, 175 acres (Dallas Campus)
Religious AffiliationUnited Methodist Church
MascotMustang
Websitewww.smu.edu

Southern Methodist University (also known as SMU) is a private, coeducational Methodist-affiliated university in University Park, Texas, (an enclave of Dallas). Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU currently operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico.

Of the university's current enrollment of 11,000, around 6,000 are undergraduates. 21.5% of entering undergraduates classify themselves as "minorities", and over half of the student body claims a religious affiliation. Despite the university's name, only 25% of new undergraduates claim affiliation with the Methodist church. Demographic profile

University history and facts

Founded in 1911 by what is now the United Methodist Church, SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry. The city of Dallas has supported SMU since its beginning, when local citizens pledged $300,000 to secure the University's location. In appreciation of the city, SMU named its first building Dallas Hall, which remains the University’s symbol and centerpiece. Designed after the Rotunda at the University of Virginia, Dallas Hall opened its doors in 1915 and housed the entire University as well as a bank and a barbershop. Because Dallas Hall was built on a hill, SMU was nicknamed “The Hilltop.” The University seal is on the floor under the Rotunda. Dallas Hall is now registered in the National Registry of Historic Places.

The University’s first president, Robert S. Hyer, selected Harvard red and Yale blue as the school colors to symbolize SMU’s high standards.

Dallas Hall at Dedman College

Academic divisions

SMU's seven degree-granting schools are: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Meadows School of the Arts, School of Engineering, School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, and Perkins School of Theology.

Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences

Dedman College was named in 1981 in honor of its benefactors, Robert H. Dedman Sr. and his wife, Nancy McMillan Dedman, both of Dallas.

  • Areas of Study: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctoral degrees are offered through 16 departments in the humanities, social sciences, and the mathematical and natural sciences.
  • Competitive Graduates: The percentage of Dedman students accepted to medical school is typically 10-20 points higher than the national average each year.
  • Publications: Faculty members publish with such university presses as Oxford, Yale, Cambridge, and Harvard. Many of their publications can be seen at the Barnes and Noble SMU Bookstore, which has a section devoted to faculty authors.
  • Research Grants: In 2004, Dedman College researchers generated $7,752,800 of SMU’s $19.6 million in competitive research grants, an amount that has increased 52 percent since 1994.
  • Renovated Facilities: In 2004, Dedman College completed the first phase of the Fondren Science Building renovation. During the prior five years, more than $28 million supported construction and renovation projects for science facilities within the College.
  • University Honors Program in the Liberal Arts: In 1966, Dr. Franklin G. Balch, a political science professor at SMU, founded the "Superior Studies Program" consisting of 40 students. Over the next decade, Superior Studies was divided between Departmental and General Education programs. Thus, the University Honors Program developed, growing to a group of over 850 students in 2006 who complete a minimum 7-course requirements in the humanities. The UHP (as it is commonly called) focuses on an interaction-based pedagogy. The program notably features smaller classes, highly-acclaimed professors, guest lecturers on controversial topics, and free special events for its participants.

Cox School of Business

Cox School of Business was established in 1920, and was renamed in 1978 to recognize the support of benefactor Edwin L. Cox of Dallas.

  • Areas of Study: Master’s degrees in business and accounting; Bachelor’s degrees offered through majors in accounting; finance; information technology and operations management; management and organizations; marketing; real estate, insurance, and business law; and strategy and entrepreneurship.
  • Rankings: The Cox School of Business is consistently recognized as a leader in business education by such publications as BusinessWeek, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal. The Cox B.B.A. program ranks among the top 20 nationally in BusinessWeek's 2006 rankings.

The Cox School of Business houses a nationally-ranked MBA graduate program as well as a BBA honors program and extensive Executive Education offerings. SMU Cox rose to #16 in the world (#13 in the United States), up from #18 in BusinessWeek's last EMBA ranking in 2003. This puts SMU Cox ahead of quality programs such as NYU Stern, Cornell, and Purdue. The Cox Professional MBA (PMBA) Program offers an opportunity for students to earn their MBA degree while maintaining full-time employment.

  • Location and Connections: Dallas-Fort Worth is the “Fourth Best Metropolitan Area for Business,” according to Forbes magazine, and “SMU is all but the official alma mater of the Dallas business and professional elite,” states The Fiske Guide to Colleges.
  • American Airlines Global Leadership Program: SMU offers the only M.B.A. program that requires and funds international study for all first-year students. In 2006 students visited China, the UK, Switzerland, and Italy during GLP.

Meadows School of the Arts

Meadows School of the Arts began as the School of Music in 1917 and became Meadows School of the Arts in 1964, incorporating studies in art and theatre. In 1969, thanks to Algur H. Meadows and The Meadows Foundation, the school was named the Algur H. Meadows School of the Arts.

  • Areas of Study: Meadows School of the Arts offers Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees and Artist Certificates. Divisions include the Temerlin Advertising Institute, Art, Art History, Arts Administration, Cinema-Television, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs (CCPA), Dance, Journalism, Music, and Theatre.
File:Meadows Arts.JPG
Meadows School of the Arts
  • Performance Spaces: The Bob Hope Theatre, the Greer Garson Theatre, the Margo Jones Theatre, and Caruth Auditorium
  • Student Communicators: Advertising students placed first in the National Student Advertising Competition twice between 2002 and 2004. In two years three CCPA students ranked in the top 10 of a PRWeekly competition.

On February 28, 2006 it was announced that the Algur Meadows Foundation has given a $33-million gift to the Meadows school and to the affiliated Meadows Museum. The gift is the largest single donation in the histories of SMU and the foundation.

School of Engineering

  • Areas of Study: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and doctoral degrees are offered through the departments of Computer Science and Engineering; Electrical Engineering; Engineering Management, Information, and Systems; Environmental and Civil Engineering; Software Engineering; and Mechanical Engineering.
  • Educational Philosophy: Programs focus on preparing students for engineering and technology leadership.
  • Work Experience: Students gain experience through the undergraduate co-op program, the oldest in the Southwest; the Industry Scholars Program, offering corporate-sponsored internships and scholarships; and other domestic and international internships.
  • Executive and Distance Education: SMU Engineering offers the largest Executive Master’s Degree Program in the country and one of the largest and oldest degree-granting distance education programs for working students.
  • Gender Parity Initiative: SMU’s goal is to become the first engineering school to reach 50 percent female enrollment.

The School of Engineering also houses the Research Center for Advanced Manufacturing in the Mechanical Engineering Department which is extensively funded by government agencies and industry. This center is headed by Dr. Radovan Kovacevic.

Dedman School of Law

The SMU School of Law, founded in February 1925, was renamed Dedman School of Law in February 2001 in honor of its benefactors, the late Robert H. Dedman Sr., his wife, Nancy McMillan Dedman, and their family.

  • Academic Programs: The Dedman School of Law offers Juris Doctor, Master’s, and Doctor of Law degrees. SMU also offers a J.D. through an evening law program.
  • Rankings and Recognition: SMU ranks in the top tier of law schools in U.S. News & World Report. In a survey published by D Magazine in May 2003, about one-third of “leading lawyers” in Dallas are SMU law graduates.
  • Programs and Resources: Dedman Law offers five respected law journals; a summer program in Oxford, England; five legal clinics; numerous international programs; and Underwood Law Library, which houses the Southwest’s largest private law collection.

Perkins School of Theology

One of SMU’s three original schools, the theology school was renamed in 1945 to honor benefactors Joe J. and Lois Craddock Perkins of Wichita Falls, Texas.

  • Areas of Study: Perkins offers Master’s degrees offered in divinity, theological studies, church ministries, sacred music, and religious studies, and doctoral degrees in ministry and religious studies.
  • Affiliation: Perkins is one of five university-related theological institutions of The United Methodist Church, offering opportunities for interdisciplinary learning.
Perkins Chapel at the Perkins School of Theology
  • Internships: Perkins devotes four faculty members to full-time direction of the Intern Program.
  • Specialized Study: The Mexican-American Program is a national training center for students planning to minister in the Spanish-speaking context and culture.
  • Resources: Bridwell Library houses a religious studies research collection of more than 385,000 volumes and outstanding rare book, Bible, and manuscript collections.

Recognition

The Dedman School of Law ranks in the top tier of law schools, according to U.S. News & World Report. Cox School of Business is consistently recognized as a leader in business education by such publications as Business Week, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal. The Cox B.B.A. program ranks among the top 20 nationally in BusinessWeek's 2006 list.

SMU consistently ranks in the top third of national universities in the guide America's Best Colleges.

SMU ranked No. 20 nationally in the 2004 NCSA Division I Power Rankings of the best overall athletics programs. The University also ranked 44th as the top school in its conference for the fifth year in the U.S. Sports Academy Directors’ Cup Division I final standings.

Athletics

SMU's athletics teams are known as the Mustangs and participate in the NCAA's Division I (I-A for football) as a member of Conference USA, having left the Western Athletic Conference in favor of C-USA in 2005. SMU's closest rival in academics and athletics is Texas Christian University (TCU). TCU and SMU's football teams compete annually for the Iron Skillet. In 2005, a nationally unranked SMU beat then 24th ranked TCU for its first win against a ranked team in 19 years, since October 1986. TCU won the previous seven games against SMU, and the 2005 win was widely seen as SMU's most important victory since the "death penalty" in 1987.

The SMU football program was a national powerhouse, with five alumni being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Raymond Berry, Eric Dickerson, Forrest Gregg, Lamar Hunt (as a contributor), and Doak Walker, before it received the "death penalty" — consisting of disbandment of the team for one year and a limited schedule the following year — for repeated violations of NCAA rules and regulations in its days as a member of the Southwest Conference. (SMU chose not to play at all in the second year.) Since the "death penalty," SMU's football team has not placed a top 3 place in its division and to this day dispute is raised regarding the past and public affairs with their "death penalty."

On April 24, 2006, Matt Doherty was introduced as the new men's basketball coach.

Mascot

The SMU Mustang mascot came into being when President Hyer’s assistant once noted that SMU football players looked like a “bunch of wild mustangs.” The term “Mustangs” became official when put to a student vote.

SMU’s official mascot was named after an early 20th-century patent medicine, Peruna Tonic, which was popular for its highly alcoholic “kick.” Peruna is a black stallion Shetland pony that attends all home football games. Peruna is accompanied to games by "Peruna Handlers", five students who are trained to lead Peruna across the field after every touchdown. The Handlers are traditionally male, though there have been a few female Handlers.

Traditions

  • The Boulevard- The afternoon before every home football game SMU students, faculty, staff, and alumni gather along Bishop Boulevard (SMU's main street) for pregame picnicing and festivities. The North end of the Boulevard hosts the tents of student organizations, including almost every fraternity and sorority on campus. Other groups such as Student Council, Program Council, and the Student Senate have traditionally participated. Many tents offer free food and drinks. Many fraternities hire bartenders and serve beer to those students and visitors who are 21 and older. The South end of the Boulevard usually hosts the tents of alumni groups and groups from various departments of the school. It is not uncommon to see pets, alumni, and children of all ages with their parents, all walking the Boulevard. Booths offer face and body painting and give away SMU gear such as pom-poms, stickers, and temporary tattoos. North of the Boulevard, SMU's Main Quad is made available to tailgaters from the opposing team. Many SMU students refer to tailgating on the Boulevard as "Boulevarding".
  • The “M” Award- This award is the most highly coveted recognition given to students, faculty, staff, and administrators for service to the University.
  • "Pony Ears"- Mustang fans show school pride by raising two bent fingers, a gesture known as "Pony Ears", during school songs, chants, and cheers. The SMU Class of 2009 created a tradition by creating the statement "Pony Up!", yelled during games and rallies. "Pony Up!" arm bands similar in style to LiveStrong bands were used to raise money for Hurricane Katrina victims in 2005, and then to raise money towards the Class of 2009's class gift.
  • Celebration of Lights- This winter tradition is a candlelit ceremony of songs and readings, held each December. The SMU community gathers on the Main Quad of the campus for this popular annual event. Traditionally, the Christmas story is read from the Bible by the university's president. Those who attend sing Christmas carols led by choirs from the Meadows School of the Arts and nearby high schools. The Christmas lights that decorate Dallas Hall and the surrounding trees are also lit during this time.
  • Mustang Corral- This retreat in the Texas Hill Country is for entering first-year students. Student leaders, alumni, faculty, and staff welcome new students to the SMU community while sharing the rich history of spirit and traditions. Students meet professors, get to know each other, perform skits, and learn the school cheers. They also compete in various events such tug-of-war, sponge racing, and water balloon throwing in a camp-wide event known as The Olympics. The team the wins the Olympics receives the coveted Golden Rake.
  • Red and Blue Fridays- On the Friday before football games, SMU students wear red or blue shirts to show their support for the team. On game days, students and fans wear red. In the past, the University has sold an "official game day shirt", which is always red and usually features a clever saying or play on words relating to SMU's mascot, the Mustang.

Notable Alumni

Ministry

Political Leaders

Academics

Scientists

Business Leaders & Entrepreneurs

Justices

Entertainment

Sports

Other

Pop Culture

In the television show Dallas the character of Lucy Ewing was a student at Southern Methodist University, and several scenes were shot on location in the main quad.

A scene from Born on the Fourth of July was shot around the exterior of the west wing of Dallas Hall.

External links

Conference USA
Full members
Future full members
Baseball affiliate members
Beach volleyball affiliate members
Bowling affiliate members
History
International Association of Methodist-related Schools, Colleges, and Universities
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