Southern Methodist University

Southern Methodist University
Name	Southern Methodist University
Established	1911
Type	Private research university
Endowment	$2.3 billion
President	R. Gerald Turner
City	University Park, Texas
State	Texas
Country	United States
Campus	Suburban, 237 acres
Colors	Harvard red and Yale blue
Nickname	Mustangs
Affiliations	United Methodist Church
Website	smu.edu

Southern Methodist University. Founded in 1911 by what is now the United Methodist Church, it is a private research institution located in University Park, Texas, an enclave of Dallas. The university is classified among "R-2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" and is renowned for its programs in business, law, and the performing arts. Its campus is noted for its distinctive Georgian architecture and is home to the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

History

The charter for the institution was signed in 1911, with its founding spurred by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The university's first classes were held in 1915 on a site originally known as "Armstrong's Hill," now part of the Highland Park area. Early growth was steady, and the school established its distinguished Dedman School of Law in 1925. A significant period of expansion occurred post-World War II, aligning with the rapid growth of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. The university gained national attention in the 1980s when its NCAA football program received the "death penalty" for major violations. In 2013, the campus became the site of the George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes a museum and the George W. Bush Institute.

Campus

The main campus spans 237 acres in the heart of the Park Cities area, primarily in University Park, Texas. The architecture is uniformly Georgian Revival, featuring red brick buildings and white columns, with the iconic Dallas Hall serving as the centerpiece. Key facilities include the Meadows Museum, which houses one of the finest collections of Spanish art outside Spain, and the Bob Hope Theatre within the Meadows School of the Arts. The Fondren Library Center is the main library, and the eastern edge of campus is defined by the George W. Bush Presidential Center. The university also operates a satellite campus in Plano for graduate professional studies and the SMU-in-Taos campus in Fort Burgwin, New Mexico.

Academics

The university is organized into eight degree-granting schools, including the highly ranked Cox School of Business and the Dedman School of Law. The Lyle School of Engineering and the Meadows School of the Arts are also prominent, with the latter offering programs in theater, music, and dance. Other divisions include Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, the Simmons School of Education and Human Development, and the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies. The university houses several notable research centers, such as the John Goodwin Tower Center for Political Studies and the William P. Clements Center for Southwest Studies. Undergraduate students engage with a comprehensive liberal arts core curriculum through the University Curriculum.

Student life

Student life is characterized by a strong tradition of Greek life, with approximately 35% of undergraduates participating in fraternities and sororities. The Student Foundation and Program Council are major programming bodies. The campus hosts over 200 student organizations, including religious groups, cultural associations like the Asian Council, and media outlets such as *The Daily Campus* newspaper. Major annual events include Homecoming festivities, Peruna's birthday celebration for the live mascot, and the Meadows annual Museum benefit. Residential life is centered around 11 residential commons, part of the Second Century Residential Commons initiative.

Athletics

The university's athletic teams, known as the SMU Mustangs, compete in NCAA Division I as a member of the American Athletic Conference. The football team, which plays home games at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, has a storied history, including a 1982 Cotton Bowl victory and the aforementioned NCAA sanctions. The men's basketball team plays in Moody Coliseum and has made multiple appearances in the NCAA tournament. Other notable programs include men's and women's soccer, swimming and diving, and track and field. The university's athletic identity is closely tied to its mascot, Peruna, a live Shetland pony.

Notable alumni

Alumni have achieved prominence in diverse fields. In business and finance, notable figures include Ray L. Hunt (CEO of Hunt Consolidated, Inc.) and Laura W. Bush (former First Lady of the United States). The political sphere includes former First Lady Laura Bush, U.S. Senator John Cornyn, and former U.S. Ambassador to Sweden Lyndon L. Olson Jr.. Entertainment and arts alumni include actors Kathy Bates and Lauren Graham, and broadcast journalist James Blue. In sports, alumni include Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Don Meredith, and Olympic gold medalist swimmer Steve Lundquist.

Category:Universities and colleges in Texas Category:Private universities and colleges in Texas Category:Educational institutions established in 1911