Southern Methodist University

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Southern Methodist University
Motto	Veritas Liberabit Vos (The Truth Shall Set You Free)
Established	1911
Type	Private
Endowment	$1,121,360,015[1]
President	R. Gerald Turner
Provost	Paul W. Ludden
Staff	603 (full-time)
Undergraduates	6,208
Postgraduates	4,693
Location	University Park (an enclave of Dallas), Texas, USA
Campus	Urban, 210 acres (Dallas, TX), 295 acres (Taos, New Mexico), 18.4 acres (Plano, TX)
Mascot	Mustang
Website	www.smu.edu

Southern Methodist University (also known as SMU) is a private, coeducational 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. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church.

Of the University's current enrollment of 11,000, around 6,000 are undergraduates. 21.5% of entering undergraduates classify themselves as "minorities", and more than half of the student body claims a religious affiliation. Only 25% of new undergraduates claim affiliation with the Methodist church. Demographic Profile

Contents 1 University history and facts 2 Academic Profile 2.1 Endowment 2.2 Colleges & schools 2.3 Research & graduate studies 2.4 Special programs 2.5 Rankings & recognition 3 Student life 3.1 Student demographics 3.2 Housing 3.3 Student organizations 3.4 Greek life 3.5 Student media 4 Athletics 5 Traditions 6 Notable SMU People 6.1 SMU Alumni 6.2 SMU Professors & Faculty 6.3 SMU Presidents 6.4 SMU Chairpersons of the Board of Trustees 6.5 Honorary degrees recipients 6.6 Notable affiliates 7 Pop culture 8 External links 8.1 Scholastic Links 8.2 Programs 9 References

[edit] 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 Register of Historic Places.

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

On December 21, 2006, University President R. Gerald Turner announced that Donald L. Evans, former United States Secretary of Commerce and Chairman of the George W. Bush Presidential Library Search Committee, had notified him that SMU had been selected by the Committee for the next phase of planning discussions. On January 5, 2007, Turner announced that the Library and its accompanying museum would likely be joined by the George W. Bush Institute at SMU.

[edit] Academic Profile

[edit] Endowment

SMU's endowment of $1,121,360,015^[2] makes it one of only 62 colleges and universities in the United States with an endowment above $1 billion.

[edit] Colleges & schools

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
• Perkins School of Theology.

[edit] Research & graduate studies

During 2004-05, SMU received almost $15 million in external funding for research. Results of the funded research include:

• The introduction of a new fossil species, Dallasaurus turneri, that represents a missing link in the evolution of mosasaurs (prehistoric contemporaries of dinosaurs that started on land but evolved in the seas)

• The discovery of incontrovertible proof of the existence and location of Site Q, a long-sought Classic Maya city, in one of the longest hieroglyphic texts to be discovered in Guatemala in several decades

• A new model for instruction, integrating academic standards with language skills, that can help children with limited English proficiency develop biliteracy in Spanish and English

• Research into early detection, tracking, and response for cyberattacks that use phishing scams, resulting in software that can help prevent identity theft and other computer crimes

• Study of a mechanical system that simulates the propulsion of jellyfish, which might propel tiny vehicles for microsurgery, undersea exploration, and military surveillance

Research Centers and Institutes

• Brinker Institute for Hospitality and Restaurant Management - The Institute's goal is to enhance the business acumen, management skills, and leadership potential of the next-generation of industry leaders.

• Business Leadership Center - The BLC encourages students to develop leadership skills.

• Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship - The Institute offers education and training for today's entrepreneur who competes in a rapidly changing, fast paced, technology-driven environment.

• Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility - The Center supports research, writing and teaching in ethics at the graduate and undergraduate level.

• Center for Teacher Education - Workshops and seminars provide lessons that are both useful in instructional delivery and applicable to required professional-development hours

• Center for Teaching Excellence - Achieving teaching excellence is not formulaic: in diverse areas of the University, different teaching strategies work best. Therefore, the Center encourages dialogs across schools and disciplines.

• Clements Center for Southwest Studies - This center promotes research, publishing, teaching, and public programming in a variety of fields of inquiry related to the American Southwest.

• The Center for Research in Real Estate and Land Use Economics - The Center was created in 1984 as an entity focusing on major issues in the real estate industry.

• Center for Scientific Computation - This interdisciplinary research center is devoted to the application of computational techniques to problems in mathematics, engineering, and the applied sciences.

• Center for Statistical Consulting and Research - Statistical consulting services include statistical data analysis and modeling, interpretation of the results, and presentation of conclusions using state-of-the-art statistical methods.

• Ellen K. Solender Institute in Free Speech and Mass Media Law - Its focus is on media law and issues affecting the free flow of information with some emphasis on problems caused by the differences in the law of various democracies.

• Center for the Advanced Study and Practice of Evangelism - It seeks to accomplish its mission by providing resources within the Field of Evangelism for scholars, local churches, and others engaged in evangelization, and by providing a strategic forum in which scholars and practitioners of evangelism can be in fruitful dialogue.

• The Institute for Engineering Education - The Institute for Engineering Education at SMU has been established to pioneer an array of innovative programs designed to present engineering as a fun, challenging and rewarding career opportunity to a national audience of students in kindergarten through high school.

• The Institute for Reading Research - The Institute's primary mission is to promote reading skills through research in the areas of developing reading interventions for children at-risk for failing to learn to read, children with mild to moderate mental retardation, and children who are either bilingual or who speak Spanish exclusively in the early primary grades.

• Institute for the Study of Earth and Man - The ISEM was established nearly forty years ago to foster interdisciplinary research in geology and anthropology.

• JCPenney Center for Retail Excellence - The JCPenney Center for Retail Excellence is the leading source of academic expertise on consumer shopping behavior and the effects of retailer activities on shopping behavior.

• John Goodwin Tower Center for Political Studies - The Center was established to support teaching and research programs in international studies and national security policy, focusing upon the institutions that structure national and international decision-making.

• KPMG Institute for Corporate Governance - The KPMG Institute will explore corporate governance and ethical decision making, and how those choices impact the market’s perception of a firm and its future.

• Law Institute of the Americas - NAFTA/FTAA-related Legal Studies, Latin American Legal Studies, Selective Canadian Legal Studies, Regional Intergovernmental Institutions, Related Rule of Law and Law Reform Issues, International Economic Law and Development Issues

• Linda and Mitch Hart eCenter - The eCenter provides leadership in the development and use of interactive network technologies.

• Maguire Energy Institute - Studies the economic, policy, marketing and management issues related to oil, natural gas and electricity.

• Research Center for Advanced Manufacturing - the official site is here.

• SW Graduate School of Banking (SWGSB) Foundation - focuses on providing education for all levels of bank officers.

• Temerlin Advertising Institute - The Institute strives to advance the state of advertising communication through partnerships with both industry and government and through programs to blend the research interests of the academy and the profession

Campus Museums and Libraries

• Business School Library - Some resources are available to the public.

[edit] Special programs

SMU-in-Taos

• SMU's campus in Northern New Mexico offers summer credit courses and includes the excavation of a 13th-century Indian pueblo. The annual SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute presents a weekend of informal classes taught by SMU faculty members.

Study abroad programs

• International study is offered through 24 programs in 12 countries throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and Latin America.

The University Honors Program in the Liberal Arts

• The University Honors Program at SMU serves the highest achieving undergraduate students in all departments and majors across campus. Those invited to participate fulfill a 7 course requirement of their General Education Curriculum in small, often discussion-based classes. The Honors Program hosts many events throughout the academic year. It also offers considerable research grants, exclusive job opportunities, and other selective benefits to its student constituents.

[edit] Rankings & recognition

Overall University Rankings

• SMU consistently ranks in the top third of national universities in the U.S. News & World Report annual guidebook America's Best Colleges.

• SMU ranked No. 36 out of 98 schools in the 2005 NCSA Division I Power Rankings, which recognizes the nation's best overall collegiate athletics programs. Also, in the 2005-06 U.S. Sports Academy Directors' Cup Division I Final Standings, SMU is the top school in its conference for the eighth consecutive year.

Cox School of Business Rankings

• The Cox School of Business is recognized as a business education leader by BusinessWeek, The Economist, Financial Times, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, and The Wall Street Journal.

Undergraduate Rankings

The Cox BBA program ranks among the top 20 in BusinessWeek's 2006 national rankings.

Graduate Rankings

The Cox Executive MBA program is ranked by BusinessWeek as #16 world wide and #13 in the U.S., praising faculty members for real-world experience brought to the classroom.

The Cox Professional MBA program is ranked by U.S. News & World Report #10 in the nation, the only program in Texas named in the category.

The Cox Full Time MBA is ranked among the nation's top schools by BusinessWeek, Financial Times and Forbes.

Dedman School of Law Rankings

• The Dedman School of Law ranks No. 43 in the U.S. News & World Report guidebook America's Best Graduate Schools 2007.

Meadows School of the Arts Rankings

• The Meadows School of the Arts is one of only five schools in the country that is top tier in theatre, music, and dance.

[edit] Student life

• In 2005, SMU was named #4 for "Happiest Students" and #4 for "Great College Towns" by Princeton Review.
• A student also serves as a voting member of the Board of Trustees.

[edit] Student demographics

• SMU is quite diverse. 21.6% of undergraduates claim to be minorities. There can be, in any given year, students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and almost 100 different countries.

• The largest number of international students come from India, China, Mexico, Panama, Pakistan, Korea, Guatemala, Canada, Japan, Turkey, and El Salvador.

• SMU's female to male ratio is approximately 1:1 and its student-faculty ratio is 12:1. The average age of undergraduate students is 20.6 while that of graduate and professional students is 32.3.

• Two-thirds of undergraduates and 42% of graduate students report a religious affiliation; 23.1% are Methodist, and 22.9% are Catholic. Other represented religions include Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam.

[edit] Housing

At SMU, the residence halls comprise a variety of room types, bathroom styles, and community areas. All of the residence halls have these common features:

• Carpeted Rooms
• Local Phone Service with Voicemail
• Computer Connections via Ethernet
• Air Conditioning
• 24-Hour Security Card Access System
• Coed Residence Halls
• Laundry Rooms with Coin-Operated Washers & Dryers
• Soda Vending Machines
• Microwave Ovens available in the Hall
• Smoke-Free Environment
• Resident Assistants and Hall Director

Residence halls

• Boaz
• Cockrell-McIntosh
• Mary Hay
• McElvaney
• Morrison-McGinnis
• Multicultural House
• Perkins
• Peyton
• Shuttles
• Smith
• Virginia-Snider

Theme halls or apartments

• Daniel House
• Hawk
• Martin
• Moore
• Service House
• SMU Apartments

[edit] Student organizations

SMU has over 200 organizations, including Greek-oriented, academic and professional oriented, sports clubs, ethinic themed groups, religious and political diversity student groups

[edit] Greek life

In 2004, SMU's "major fraternity and sorority scene" was ranked #4 by Princeton Review.^[3]

Southern Methodist University has:

• 9 Interfraternity Council (IFC) fraternities (Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Lambda Chi Alpha, Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Gamma Delta, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Kappa Sigma, Kappa Alpha Order)

• 8 Pan-Hellenic sororities (Kappa Alpha Theta, Delta Delta Delta, Pi Beta Phi, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Alpha Chi Omega, Gamma Phi Beta, Chi Omega, Delta Gamma)

• 6 National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organizations (Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, and Phi Beta Sigma fraternities and Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, and Zeta Phi Beta sororities)

• 6 National Multicultural Greek Council (NMGC) organizations

• One Christian fraternity (Beta Upsilon Chi) and one Christian sorority (Eta Iota Sigma)

[edit] Student media

• The Daily Campus, an independent student newspaper first published in 1915. It is published Tuesday-Friday during the Fall and Spring semesters and monthly during the summer.

• The SMUDailyData, a news and community Web site housed in the Division of Journalism at SMU.

• SMU-TV, a student-run television station serving the Park Cities community.

• HillTopics

• The Mustang Post, an independent, student-run, conservative opinion publication published bi-weekly during the Fall and Spring semesters.

[edit] Athletics

Main article: Southern Methodist University 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 (C-USA). The school left the Western Athletic Conference in favor of C-USA in 2005. Before that, the Mustangs participated in the now defunct Southwest Conference. The football team plays at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on the SMU campus.

• SMU's closest rival in athletics is Texas Christian University (TCU). TCU and SMU's football teams have competed annually (with the exception of 2006) for the Iron Skillet. In 2005, a nationally unranked SMU beat then 24th ranked TCU for SMU's first win against a ranked team in 19 years (since October 1986). TCU had won the previous seven football games played against SMU.

• SMU also competes annually with Rice University in football for the Mayors Cup. The home team has won the event since 1986.

• The SMU football program was a national powerhouse, with five alumni elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Raymond Berry, Eric Dickerson, Forrest Gregg, Lamar Hunt (as a contributor), and Doak Walker. In 1987, SMU became the only school in collegiate athletic history to receive the "Death Penalty", or having its program terminated, for making approximately $61,000 in booster payments, and in multiple violations.^[4] In "A Payroll to Meet" by David Whitford, it is revealed that the "Death Penalty" was a result of the university administration's refusal to stop paying players already receiving payment. Since many players were poor, boosters would pay for rent or other bills for the parents of the athletes, and several key boosters and administration officials felt it would be unethical to cut off payments. When the "death penalty" was handed down, SMU had only three players - all seniors about to graduate - receiving payments.

• The Doak Walker Award, an annual collegiate award given to the "most outstanding college running back", is named after SMU Heisman Trophy Winner Doak Walker.

[edit] Traditions

• Peruna -

Main article: Peruna

The SMU Mustang mascot came into being when President Hyer's assistant, Dorothy Amann once noted that SMU football players looked like a "bunch of wild mustangs." The term "Mustangs" became official upon its approval by 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 I was introduced in the 1930s by an early director of the Mustang Band, Cy Barcus. Peruna is accompanied to games by "Peruna Handlers", students who are trained to lead Peruna across the field after every touchdown.

• The Boulevard - Before every home football game, SMU students, faculty, staff, and alumni gather along Bishop Boulevard (SMU's main street) for pregame picnicking 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 along 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.

• The "M" Award - This award--given to students, faculty, staff, and administrators in recognition of exemplary service to the University--is SMU's most highly coveted recognition.

• "Pony Ears" - Mustang fans show school pride by raising two bent fingers, a gesture known as "Pony Ears", during school songs, chants, and cheers.

• 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 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 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's cheers. They also compete in various events such as tug-of-war, sponge racing, and water balloon throwing in a camp-wide event known as The Olympics. The team that 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.

• The Mustang Band - The SMU marching band was the first band to play jazz music on a football field beginning in the 1930s. From 1959 forward, the band's instrumentation was designed to mimic that of a jazz band, consisting only of brass instruments, drums, and saxophones. And, the band began to use actual jazz arrangements instead of imitation jazz pieces written specifically for marching bands. The band has a unique uniform style (coat and tie) which evolves over each season: wearing different combinations of uniform parts for the first half of the game, switching or adding parts for the second half, and not repeating any of these combinations the entire season. The available parts include: Red Coat, Blue Coat, Candy-striped Coat, Red Vest, Blue Vest, Candy-striped Vest, white shirt (button-down), blue shirt, blue pants, white pants, red bow tie, blue bow tie, red long tie, and blue long tie. The band was all-male from 1959 to the late 1970s, when a lawsuit forced the band to admit women for the first time (despite the fact that the Mustang Band was not part of the music school, nor was band participation required for any degree).

• Varsity (Alma Mater)

Oh we see the Varsity, Varsity, Varsity,
As she towers o'er the hill over there.
And our hearts are filled with joy, SMU, SMU,
Alma Mater, we'll be true forever.

• Peruna

Peruna is the official SMU fight song. It is frequently played, and is based on "She'll Be Comin' Around The Mountain." Popular lyrics among students and alumni include, While the song officially has no words, it is often (in parody) sung as "She'll be loaded with Peruna when she comes."

• Pony Battle Cry

-The Pony Battle Cry is SMU's official battle cry. The lyrics are:
Hail to the red and the blue
We’re the Mustangs from SMU.
Give a cheer, show your might,
Get the victory in sight.
For our battle cry will be:
FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
Spirit’s the best in the land,
And right to the end we’ll stand
For the M-U-S-T-A-N-G-S!
FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!

• Mighty Mustang Thunder

Mighty Mustangs Thunder through the canyon on the hill
For red and blue and SMU Mighty Mustangs always
Will fight! Fight! Fight!
Mighty Mustang Thunder from Peruna’s heart within,
Fighting back, fighting on, fighting hard,
Fighting strong,
Mighty Mustangs will win!

[edit] Notable SMU People

[edit] SMU Alumni

Main article: List of Prominent SMU Alumni

"SMU is all but the official alma mater of the Dallas business and professional elite."

-The Fiske Guide to Colleges.

[edit] SMU Professors & Faculty

• Lewis Binford - Elected to the National Academy of Sciences
• Fred Wendorf - Elected to the National Academy of Sciences
• Eugene Herrin - Co-developed a seismic system that detects underground nuclear detonations worldwide
• Brian Stump - Co-developed a seismic system that detects underground nuclear detonations worldwide
• Choon Sae Lee - Developed new form of antenna
• John Buynak - Developed compounds to help fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria
• Larry Shampine - His work was recognized by New Media Magazine as "one of the nine best digital projects on the planet."
• Rick Halperin - Chair, Amnesty International USA

[edit] SMU Presidents

• R. Gerald Turner - 1995-Present
• A. Kenneth Pye - 1987-1994
• L. Donald Shields - 1980-1986
• James Zumberge - 1975-1980
• Paul Hardin - 1972-1974
• Willis M. Tate - 1954-1972
• Umphrey Lee - 1939-1954
• Charles Claude Selecman - 1923-1938
• Hiram Abiff Boaz - 1920-1922
• Robert S. Hyer - 1911-1920

[edit] SMU Chairpersons of the Board of Trustees

• Carl Sewell - 2006-Present
• Gerald J. Ford - 2002-2006
• Ruth S. Altshuler - 2000-2002
• William R. Howell - 1996-2000
• Robert Dedman Sr. - 1992-1996
• Ray Hunt - 1986-1992
• Bill Clements - 1983-1986

[edit] Honorary degrees recipients

• William McFerrin Stowe (Doctor of Laws, 1965) - Bishop of The Methodist Church
• Bob Hope (Doctor of Humane Letters, 1967) - Actor
• Gerald R. Ford (Doctor of Laws, 1975) - 38th President of the United States
• H. Ross Perot (Doctor of Humane Letters, 1991) - Billionaire and former presidential candidate
• George H. W. Bush (Doctor of Humane Letters, 1992) - 41st President of the United States
• Ross Smeltzer (Doctor of European History, 1998) - Historian who criticizes String Theory and its implications in history
• Juan Carlos I (Doctor of Arts, 2001) - King of Spain

[edit] Notable affiliates

• First Lady and SMU Alumna Laura Bush has served on the SMU Board of Trustees since 2000.

• U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney was a diplomat-in-residence at SMU's John Goodwin Tower Center for Political Studies in March 1996. Later that year, Cheney was named to the SMU Board of Trustees, resigning in August 2000 when he became the Republican candidate for U.S. Vice President.

• General Colin Powell in 1997 received the first Medal of Freedom Award given by SMU's John Goodwin Tower Center for Political Studies at Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.

• Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1999 received the second Medal of Freedom Award, presented to her by Colin Powell, the recipient of the first medal.

• Academy Award winner Kathy Bates graduated from SMU in 1969. She also gave the commencement address for the class of 2002.

[edit] Pop culture

• President Dwight D. Eisenhower once quipped that "an atheist is a guy who watches a Notre Dame-SMU football game and doesn't care who wins."

• The book "A Payroll to Meet: A Story of Greed, Corruption, and Football at SMU" is a literature account of the recruiting scandals and violations that ultimately led to the famous "Death Penalty" being instituted.

• 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. There was also a Memorial Scholarship mentioned in honor of Jock Ewing to SMU.

• While students at SMU, siblings Bill and Julie Ann Brice founded I Can't Believe It's Yogurt!, a chain that grew to more than 400 locations throughout the United States and 17 foreign countries.

• A scene from Oliver Stone's film Born on the Fourth of July was shot around the exterior of the west wing of Dallas Hall.

• In a scene from Brokeback Mountain, Anne Hathaway's character Lureen briefly discusses with a female friend (the friend's) days at SMU.

• The Fox Broadcasting Company show Prison Break had an episode filmed at SMU for its 2006-2007 Season.

• The 1978 film The Seniors, a low-budget comedy starring Dennis Quaid, was filmed at several campus locations and featured students as extras.

• A scene from the Oliver Stone film Talk Radio was filmed at an SMU basketball game.

• In the television show The West Wing, former Vice President John Hoynes is a graduate of SMU.

• Nearly 100 SMU Mustang Band members & alumni, cheerleaders, and pom squad members performed in the George W. Bush 2001 Inauguration Parade.

• A group of 18 SMU Corporate Communications and Public Affairs students worked as volunteers for the George W. Bush 2001 inaugural events. In addition, a photograph of Laura Bush taken for SMU Magazine by university photographer Hillsman S. Jackson was chosen by her as her official inauguration photograph and appeared in all inauguration publications.

• In the 2006 NBC reality television show Treasure Hunters, the victors of ten competing three-person teams were the members of team Geniuses, a team wholly comprised of SMU students which won $3 million in the largest reality show prize ever to date.

• Thurston Howell III (from Gilligan's Island fame) claimed to have attended SMU (Southern Millionaires University), a nickname for Southern Methodist University meant to highlight the affluent communities of University Park and Highland Park that surround the University.

• Jessica E. Jackson, class of 2007, was named one of the "Hottest College Girls" by Playboy Magazine in 2006.

• The second season female winner, Cher, from Beauty and the Geek attended SMU.

[edit] External links

Find more information on Southern Methodist University by searching Wikipedia's sister projects
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[edit] Scholastic Links

• Southern Methodist University
• SMU Student Senate
• SMU Dedman College
• SMU Cox School of Business
• SMU School of Engineering
• SMU Dedman School of Law
• SMU Underwood Law Library
• SMU Meadows School of the Arts
• SMU Meadows Museum
• SMU School of Education and Human Development
• SMU Perkins School of Theology
• Ponyfans.com: Most read SMU sports message board
• SMU Sports Message Boards

[edit] Programs

• SMU-in-Legacy
• SMU-in-Taos
• SMU Study Abroad Program
• SMU University Honors Program in the Liberal Arts
• SMU Athletics
• Mustang Band

[edit] References

1. ^ http://www.smu.edu/ir/Publications/Fact_Sheet_2006/Financial_2006.asp
2. ^ http://www.smu.edu/ir/Publications/Fact_Sheet_2006/Financial_2006.asp
3. ^ http://www.uh.edu/ednews/2004/dmn/200408/20040817utpartyschool.html
4. ^ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/tim_layden/07/14/moments/index.html

Conference USA
East Division: East Carolina • Marshall • Memphis • Southern Miss • UAB • UCF West Division: Houston • Rice • SMU • Tulane • Tulsa • UTEP