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A New Century For SMU
Lighting The Way To
Page 3
smu magazine veteran students / daring do … the entrepreneurial spirit Spring/Summer 2011
16 12
22 27
— in this issue
features
< — daring do
SMU students and faculty embody the spirit 10 — the story is told
of SMU’s Second Century Celebration, which The Mustang – SMU’s first alumni publication – was
highlights the University’s prominence in born in 1920, beginning a strong tradition of alumni
leadership, innovation, creativity and service. communication. SMU Magazine recalls its past from
Among them are: various issues through the decades.
16 — Dedman College Dean William Tsutsui
12 — Raven Sanders, engineering student
22 — Elizabeth Peterson, sophomore and
Environmental Representative to
residence halls departments
27 — Troy Vaughn, veteran and M.B.A.
student
07 — moody milestones 32 — centennial welcome
At the announcement of a $20 million gift Enjoying their Golden Mustang Reunion
to expand and renovate Moody Coliseum, during SMU’s Founders’ Day are (from left)
Frances Anne Moody-Dahlberg ’92, executive Genie Watkins Farrow ’50, her husband, Ed,
director and trustee of the Moody Foundation, and Billie Leigh Rippey ’53. As SMU’s Second
expressed both generosity and Mustang Century Celebration continues, favorite
spirit. She said, “We are honored to continue traditions will mingle with new events.
the Moody Foundation’s legacy with this
gift and thrilled to be part of the beginning
of SMU’s second century. Go Ponies!”
03 — lighting the way to a new century departments
Starting April 17, the 100th birthday of the 02 — to our readers
signing of SMU’s founding charter, the dome 06 — hilltop news
of SMU’s iconic Dallas Hall was illuminated 07 — campaign update
in red and blue lights for 10 nights, representing 08 — research update
the 10 decades of SMU. 30 — mustang sports
32 — alum news
34 — class notes
46 — in memoriam
48 — hilltop history
— to our readers
Reaching 100, Staying Young
“Universities do not grow old; but yearly they renew their
strength and live from age to age in immortal youth.”
With that statement in 1913, SMU’s • In another ranking, our Ph.D. program
first president, Robert Stewart Hyer, in theology and religion, offered jointly
made a commitment for SMU in his by Perkins School of Theology and
time, but affirmed that we would be a the Department of Religious Studies in
university for all time. Dedman College, is ranked number
Reflecting that vision, SMU has built nine in faculty quality.
upon its initial offerings in the liberal • The Carnegie Foundation for the
arts as the core of the University along Advancement of Teaching raised SMU
with programs in theology and music. to its category of research universities
We have remained young and nimble in with “high research activity.”
R. GERALD TURNER developing professional education to • Innovative programs in Meadows School
President serve a changing region, nation and of the Arts and Lyle School of Engineer-
world, adding programs in the sciences, ing are providing new opportunities
business, engineering, law, communica- for learning combined with service.
tions, and other applied areas of learning. • The new Annette Caldwell Simmons
Today, part of SMU’s uniqueness comes School of Education and Human
from the fusion of our liberal arts core Development speaks volumes about
with pre-professional and professional SMU’s commitment to making an
programs through our seven schools. impact on societal issues.
We celebrated this tradition of looking • And The Second Century Campaign has
forward as we marked the 100th anni- surpassed $500 million at mid-point,
versary of SMU’s founding April 15. At a making possible many of the improve-
smu magazine is published by the Office of Public briefing that day, I shared a wealth of ments we celebrate today.
Affairs, Division of Development and External Affairs, good news with our alumni and friends: You’ll read in this magazine the many
in fall/winter and spring/summer for alumni, parents
• Cox School of Business is one of the ways in which we are saying Happy
and other friends of Southern Methodist University. The
few in the nation to have three M.B.A. Birthday, SMU. We pledge to remain
Office of Public Affairs retains the right to determine
programs ranked in the top 15 by “in eternal youth” as we move into our
editorial and advertising content and manner of
presentation. The opinions expressed in the magazine
Bloomberg BusinessWeek. second century of achievement.
do not necessarily reflect official University policy. • Dedman School of Law ranks among
Letters to the editor and contributions to the Class Notes the nation’s top 50 law schools in U.S.
section are welcomed. Send correspondence to: Editor, News & World Report.
SMU Magazine, Office of Public Affairs, PO Box 750174, R. GeRald TuRneR
Dallas TX 75275-0174; e-mail: smumag@smu.edu. President
110875.0511
Vol. 61, No. 1 Spring/Summer 2011 Editor Susan White, M.L.A. ’05 Contributors Margaret Allen, Chris Dell ’11,
Cherri Gann, Nancy Lowell George ’79,
Creative Director Sherry King Myres ’72 Sarah Hanan
Vice President for Development and Senior Editor Patricia Ward
External Affairs Brad E. Cheves Printer Etheridge Printing Company
Class Notes Editor Carolyn George Copyright © Southern Methodist University 2011
Executive Editor/Associate Vice President SMU will not discriminate in any employment practice,
and Executive Director of Public Affairs Designers Matchbox, Becky Wade education program or educational activity on the basis of
Patricia Ann LaSalle, M.L.A. ’05 race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability
Photography Hillsman S. Jackson, or veteran status. SMU’s commitment to equal opportunity
Laura Graham, Clayton Smith includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
2 smu | magazine | 2011
WE’RE
100!
SMU CELEBRATES
FOUNDERS’ DAY
“IT IS OUR CHALLENGE; IT IS OUR OPPORTUNITY;
IT IS OUR BLESSING TO LEAD THE UNIVERSITY
INTO ITS SECOND CENTURY WITH AS MUCH
VISION, OPTIMISM, AND COMMITMENT AS
WAS EXHIBITED BY THOSE WHO BEGAN ITS
FIRST CENTURY.”
– SMU President R. Gerald Turner
2011 | spring/summer | smu 3
FLAGS, FIREWORKS AND FESTIVITIES
HERALD SMU’S SECOND CENTURY
More than 1,200 alumni from around who believed that a better future for our
the globe and members of the campus region, a better city, a better quality of
community gathered April 15 for tributes, life for our families – all would be the
fireworks and a giant birthday card as SMU result of SMU being placed here.”
celebrated the 100th anniversary of its The University presented resolutions
founding. The event kicked off a series of thanking the citizens of Dallas and The
events for SMU’s Founders’ Day Weekend. United Methodist Church, which joined in
The kickoff also officially launched the partnership to establish SMU. They were
University’s multiyear Second Century accepted by Dallas City Council member
Celebration, commemorating the centennial Angela Hunt, representing the city, and
of the University’s founding in 1911 and its Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe ’85, representing
opening in 1915. Founders’ Day, designated the church.
as the third Friday in April of each year, In addition to President Turner and
recognizes the filing of the University’s Trustee Chair Prothro, other platform
charter on April 17, 1911. party guests included Ruth Collins Sharp
“Our founders would be proud of where Altshuler ’48 and Carl Sewell ’66, co-chairs,
“SMU Unbridled 100” banners line campus we are as we approach 100 and as we The Second Century Celebration Organizing
walkways and area streets.
launch our second century of achievement,” Committee; Brad E. Cheves, vice president,
said President R. Gerald Turner, citing as SMU Development and External Affairs;
examples SMU’s recent rise in academic
rankings, applications for admission and
student SAT scores.
“ IT’S BEEN A GREAT 100 YEARS, BUT IT
Friday’s event took place in front of
Dallas Hall, SMU’s centerpiece and oldest IS A FOUNDATION. THIS CELEBRATION
building. Board of Trustees Chair Caren HONORS THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF
Prothro noted that the Hilltop was just a THE PAST 100 YEARS, BUT IT IS FO-
patch of Johnson grass when SMU was CUSED ON MOVING SMU FORWARD AND
founded. “The land, the resources and the
UPWARD IN THE NEXT 100 YEARS.”
magnificence of Dallas Hall were all
made possible by the citizens of Dallas, – Carl Sewell ’66
Robert Hyer Thomas ’53, grandson of founding
President Robert Stewart Hyer, waves a
miniature centennial flag.
At “Inside SMU,” alumni enjoy “classes without The Mustang Band sports new uniforms in honor of Founders’ Day.
quizzes” led by SMU faculty.
4 smu | magazine | 2011
W. Richard Davis ’56, ’58, mayor of committees; and winners of Distinguished Turner. That evening and overnight, the
University Park; Linda S. Eads, president, Alumni and Emerging Leader Awards. SMU student body hosted Relay for Life,
SMU Faculty Senate; Paul W. Ludden, The ceremony culminated with a benefitting the American Cancer Society,
SMU provost and vice president for fireworks display and the raising of SMU’s on Bishop Boulevard.
academic affairs; Gail Meletio Madden centennial flag that will fly on campus On April 16, SMU co-sponsored
’63, mayor pro tem, Town of Highland through 2015. Giveaways included miniature University Park’s Easter egg hunt for
Park; Rev. Dr. Stephen W. Rankin, SMU versions of the centennial flag, centennial children at Goar Park near University
chaplain; Jake Torres ’11, student body cupcakes and Peruna punch. A 12-foot-by- Park’s City Hall. And on April 17, the
president; Bill Vanderstraaten ’82, incoming 20-foot birthday card to SMU was available dome of Dallas Hall was illuminated in
chair of the SMU Alumni Board; and for students, alumni and others to sign. red and blue lights for the first of 10
Gretchen Voight, president of the SMU “Through our centennial activities, we evenings, representing SMU’s 10 decades,
Staff Association. will engage our alumni and the broader in honor of the Dallas residents who
President Turner also recognized community more actively in the life and provided land and funds used to
groups of individuals who have helped to progress of the University, celebrate our establish SMU.
shape the University: family members of achievements, and prepare for even brighter “Today is really a call to action,”
former SMU presidents; past provosts; as days ahead,” said Trustee Ruth Altshuler. Turner said. “Truly it’s a time to reflect,
well as current and past trustees; Friday afternoon also included Inside to express our gratitude, but then to
presidents of alumni, faculty, student, SMU, classes for alumni, parents and return to the work at hand. SMU has
and staff organizations; Mom’s and Dad’s friends taught by SMU faculty, followed always been eager, ambitious and
club leaders; members of campaign by a University briefing by President forward-looking. It’s part of our DNA.”
President Turner, SMU officials and special guests on the platform party Well-wishers sign a 12-foot by 20-foot birthday card to SMU.
welcome more than 1,200 celebrants.
other centennial activities
COMMEMORATING A CENTURY OF HISTORY – Darwin Payne, Promenade, to be constructed on Ownby Drive for the 100th
Dallas historian and SMU professor emeritus of communications, anniversary of SMU’s opening in 2015. For more information, go
has been appointed the University’s centennial historian, responsible to smu.edu/100pavers.
for compiling SMU’s first comprehensive history. The book, to be
published in 2015, will provide an account of SMU’s first 100 CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION: “SMU’s Second Century of
years. Payne also recently authored In Honor of the Mustangs: Achievement” – The lower level of the Hughes-Trigg Student
The Centennial History of SMU Athletics, 1911-2010. The centennial Center will become a Centennial Hall with an interactive web-
commemoration will include taped interviews with past and based exhibition designed to engage visitors of all ages in the
current University leaders and supporters and a series of life and future of the University. The exhibition, expected to
symposia and public programs. open in fall 2011, will be available both in the Centennial Hall
and through SMU’s website. The hall will be the site of alumni
COMMEMORATIVE PICTURE BOOK – To be published in fall reunions, Homecoming activities, Founders’ Day events and
2011, the book will contain photographs of SMU’s campuses, other campus activities through 2015.
historic architecture and University life. This book will be the The Centennial Celebration coincides with SMU’s Second
first of its kind since SMU’s 75th anniversary celebration in 1986. Century Campaign. Launched in 2008 with a goal of $750 million,
gifts to date have exceeded $500 million.
COMMEMORATIVE PAVERS – By making a $100 gift, alumni, For more information about Founders’ Day Weekend and
students, faculty, staff and friends of the University will be the Centennial Celebration, visit www.smu.edu/News/2011/
recognized with an etched paver on SMU’s planned Centennial centennial-celebration-15april2011.
2011 | spring/summer | smu 5
— hilltop news
Alumna To Lead Enrollment Management carnegie raises
smu research
Stephanie Dupaul has of information, alumni can
been named SMU’s associ- serve as the best represen-
classification
ate vice president for tatives of the SMU experi- The Carnegie Foundation for the
Enrollment Management. ence,” she says. Advancement of Teaching has raised
In this new position in the The director of financial SMU’s classification among institu-
Office of the Provost, she aid, registrar and bursar tions of higher education, reflecting
will provide strategy for the also will report to Dupaul.
dramatic growth in the University’s
University’s goal of increas- She will chair the Strate-
research activity since it was last mea-
ing the number and quality gic Enrollment Manage-
sured in 2005.
of applicants. ment Group and direct
SMU is now categorized with 96 other
Dupaul has served as SMU’s relationships with
institutions as a research university
interim dean of SMU Stephanie Dupaul admissions consultants.
with “high research activity,” a signifi-
admissions since August SMU is seeing dramatic
cant step up from its assessment in
2010. She previously served as director growth in applications and a rise in the
2005 as a doctoral/research university.
of undergraduate admissions in Cox SAT scores of students who seek
The Carnegie Foundation assigns
School of Business, which improved the admission. Applications for the entering
doctorate-granting institutions to
academic profile of its B.B.A. students. class for fall 2011 increased by more
categories based on research activity
The University is searching for a dean of than 30 percent, and SAT scores have
during a particular period and the number
admissions, who will report to Dupaul. risen nearly 100 points in the past
of doctoral programs.
“This position will strengthen the decade.
“SMU’s rise in the Carnegie classifica-
connections in the Division of Enrollment Dupaul served as Cox associate
Management as we work together with tion system is further evidence of the
director for B.B.A. advising and student
the schools to support SMU’s mission and growing quality and research productiv-
records from 1996-2002. Before joining
goals,” says Dupaul, who earned an M.A. ity of our faculty,” says President R.
SMU, she was associate director of
in English in 2004 from SMU. Gerald Turner. “We are building a commu-
M.B.A. admissions at the University of
Dupaul says she also is eager to work Dallas and academic adviser for nity of scholars exploring important
with alumni who serve as Student Brookhaven College. Dupaul holds an research questions, making an impact on
Recruitment Volunteers, call prospective Ed.D. degree in higher education societal issues and enriching the class-
students in their areas and attend SMU administration and leadership from the room environment for their students.”
Previews and other events. “Because University of Alabama and a Bachelor’s Most universities in the highest
prospective students view alumni and degree in English from The University of research category have medical schools.
current students as trustworthy sources Texas at Austin. The foundation’s assessment of SMU’s
increased research activity occurs as the
University is making dramatic advances
in other measures of academic progress:
During Engineering & Humanity U.S. News and World Report magazine
Week in April, Lyle School of gave SMU its highest ranking ever for
Engineering students built and 2011, placing SMU 56th among 260 “best
lived in shelters designed to national universities” – up from 68th in
house the poor or those 2010. In addition, Cox School of Business
displaced by war and natural is one of only a few schools in the nation
disasters. The Hunter &
to have all three of its M.B.A. programs
Stephanie Hunt Institute for
ranked among the top 15, according to
Engineering & Humanity
sponsored the Living Village.
Bloomberg Businessweek.
For more information about research at
SMU, visit blog.smu.edu/research.
6 smu | magazine | 2011
— campaign update
Moody Foundation Gift Launches Coliseum Expansion and Renovation
As confetti rained William L. Moody Jr.
and a brass band and his wife, Libbie Rice
played, the SMU com- Shearn Moody, estab-
munity celebrated lished the Moody Founda-
the announcement of a tion in 1942. The Founda-
$20 million gift from tion has enjoyed a long
the Moody Foundation partnership with SMU,
April 20. The gift will including support of
launch an expansion improvements to Fondren
and renovation of the Science Building and
University’s Moody Moody Coliseum, which
Coliseum. opened in 1956.
“Moody Coliseum has In Moody’s inaugural
long been a signature year, fans cheered the
space to the University Mustang men’s basketball
and the city,” said team to the Southwest
R. Gerald Turner, SMU Conference Champion-
president. “With this ship and NCAA post-
generous gift from the season competition.
Moody Foundation, Women’s basketball came
the coliseum will be The SMU community gathered outside Moody Coliseum April 20 to celebrate a Moody to Moody Coliseum in
ready for the future.” Foundation gift for expansion and renovation of the landmark venue. 1976 and women’s volley-
With the gift, SMU’s ball in 1996. It is a popular
Second Century Campaign reached a “As we celebrate the centennial of our site for area high school graduations.
milestone. “The Moody Foundation founding this year, it is especially gra- Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford,
commitment takes our campaign total to tifying to receive this gift from a family George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush
date over the $500 million mark,” with a strong legacy of support for SMU,” have spoken at Moody. Bands such as the
announced Caren Prothro, chair of the said Brad Cheves, SMU vice president for Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead, U2 and
SMU Board of Trustees. development and external affairs. Pearl Jam have played there.
Launched in 2008 with a goal of $750
million, the Second Century Campaign
seeks support for student quality, faculty
and academic excellence, and the moody project attracts second major gift
campus experience. At press time, SMU received news of another major gift to support the renovation
The Moody Coliseum project will feature and expansion of Moody Coliseum – a $10 million commitment from David B. Miller
new premium seating, as well as court- ’72, ’73, a member of the SMU Board of Trustees, and his wife, Carolyn Lacy Miller.
side retractable seating for students and “As a former Mustang basketball player, David has enjoyed the excitement of
renovation of the lobby and concourses. athletic success in this facility, and he and Carolyn have attended numerous ceremonies
Technology improvements will include in Moody,” says SMU President R. Gerald Turner. “Their generous gift builds the
new video boards, scoreboards, sound momentum to secure additional funding.”
system, broadcast capabilities and The Millers have been longtime SMU donors, supporting a professorship and aca-
heating and cooling systems. Office demic centers in Cox School of Business, annual scholarships, and athletics programs
suites, restrooms and locker rooms will and facilities. Miller is co-founder and partner of EnCap Investments L.P., a private
be upgraded. equity firm based in Dallas. He is also president of the David B. Miller Family Founda-
Additional donors will be sought for tion, which Carolyn serves as vice president.
the $40 million project. Planning and
design will begin immediately. For more information: www.smu.edu/News/2011/moody-gift-millers-28april2011.aspx
2011 | spring/summer | smu 7
— research update
Research Engages Underserved Groups In Improving Health
Georita Frierson was 19 years old She has embedded herself in the “We want to fill a gap that needs to be
when her father, an African-American, community through work at clinics, addressed,” Frierson says. “The informa-
was diagnosed with colorectal cancer churches and health fairs. tion from this pilot can help us develop
and subsequently died of an infection. One program, Project GATHER, explores programs and support groups to ease the
That experience shaped Frierson’s the motivating factors and barriers to burden on Triple Negative survivors.
interest in health psychology, especially racial and ethnic minorities’ willingness These are young cancer survivors;
in improving the health behavior of to participate in genetic biobanking, in understanding their needs is important.”
underserved groups such as African- which individuals donate blood to a As much as Frierson is devoted to
Americans, Hispanics and non-English- health institution for genetic research. behavioral health, she is equally dedi-
speaking minorities. Led by Frierson, a team of SMU graduate cated to mentoring students. She directs
and undergraduate research- graduate and undergraduate students in
ers in collaboration with UT her ARCH 1 (Addressing Race, Ethnicity,
Southwestern and The Cooper Culture and Health for 1) Lab in
Institute recruited Dallas- Heroy Hall, which looks at the causes
area residents into 28 focus and risk factors of various health
groups to assess willingness behaviors. In the four years Frierson has
to donate blood for genetic been at SMU, nearly 40 students have
research on cardiovascular worked in the lab.
disease and cancer. Prelimi- Sophomore Olivia Adolphson has
nary findings revealed that worked more than 135 hours in Frierson’s
81 percent of participants had lab. “This experience showed me what
never heard of biobanking. psychologists do in real life instead of
Before the focus group, just reading about it,” says Adolphson,
Georita Frierson 64 percent said they would who wants to be a clinical psychologist.
participate in a biobank; “Now I’m conducting my own study
“There is a silver lining in every after the focus group, that number about people’s perceptions of genetic
experience that can grow your passion,” increased to 90 percent. biobanking.”
says Frierson, assistant professor of With a $50,000 grant from The – Margaret Allen
psychology in Dedman College. “I’ve been Discovery Foundation in Dallas, Frierson
very passionate about helping people also is undertaking a two-year study to
increase their healthy behaviors and understand the effect of fitness, exercise
decrease their unhealthy behaviors.” and psychosocial factors in women
Frierson earned her Master’s and diagnosed with aggressive, non-hormonal
doctoral degrees in clinical psychology Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Triple
from The Ohio State University. Negative, which occurs in 10 percent to
Frierson now is engaged in research 20 percent of women diagnosed with
partnerships with some of the nation’s breast cancer, doesn’t respond to all
most respected medical institutions traditional treatments. It generally affects
and health care providers, including women who are younger, test positive
The Cooper Institute and the Simmons for a mutation in the human gene that
Cancer Center at UT Southwestern suppresses tumors, are African-American
Medical Center at Dallas. Her research or Hispanic-Latina.
focuses on helping individuals with Called Project Positives About
chronic conditions to improve quality of Triple Negatives, or PAT, the study will
life, to address their physical and provide data to enable doctors, hospitals
emotional health and to participate in and other providers to develop pro-
healthy living programs, including grams and care strategies for Triple Edward R. Biehl
breast cancer prevention and education. Negative patients.
8 smu | magazine | 2011
— research update
Digging The Ancients: Archaeologist Explores Early Maya Culture
Maya culture has fascinated scientists expert in stone tools. She earned her
for decades, but many mysteries remain doctoral degree in anthropology from
about the ancient people that rose to Vanderbilt University in 2006.
prominence for their highly developed Today, cow pastures and cornfields
civilization in what is now Central surround the patch of rainforest where
America and Mexico. Archaeologist Holtun’s structures – more than 100
Brigitte Kovacevich, assistant professor – are buried under decomposed foliage
of anthropology in Dedman College, is and soil. Overgrown with jungle trees,
part of a growing effort to understand the site has the appearance of large
the lesser-known early period of Maya mounds, Kovacevich says. Looters have
culture, before the rise of its kingdoms tunneled into some of the structures.
and powerful rulers. Archaeologists who explored the
“Little is known about how kingship structures have verified the existence of
developed, how individuals grabbed numerous plazas, an astronomical
political power within the society, how observatory, a ritual ball court, mounds
the state-level society evolved and then that served as homes and a signature
was followed by a mini-collapse between Maya architectural structure called a
100-250 A.D.,” says Kovacevich. triadic pyramid – a 60-foot-tall platform Brigitte Kovacevich
A specialist in Mesoamerica, Kova- topped with three 10-foot-tall pyramids.
cevich is exploring early Maya culture at In summer 2010, Kovacevich and U.S. creation of an on-site museum. This
the mid-sized city of Holtun in the central and Guatemalan colleagues installed summer the scientists will begin
lakes region of Guatemala. Holtun a weatherproof roof on one structure to excavation, adhering to Guatemala’s
dates from 600 B.C. to 900 A.D. and had prevent further damage to various rigorous preservation, environmental
no more than 2,000 residents. monumental stucco masks and other art and conservation requirements.
Situated on a limestone escarpment that adorn the facades of the pyramids. The Institute for the Study of Earth
fed by two nearby springs, Holtun was Kovacevich and her colleagues also and Man in Dedman College, the Downey
flush with natural resources, including hosted a workshop to teach local guides Family Award for Faculty Excellence
chert, a sedimentary rock from which about the site’s importance as a way to and University Research Council are
tools are made, says Kovacevich, an aid ecotourism development and funding the research.
compounding hope for nerve-degenerating diseases
Synthetic compounds developed in the lab of Chemistry pharmaceutical for preventing nerve-cell damage and delaying
Professor Edward R. Biehl one day may help the millions onset of degenerative nerve disease.
of people who suffer from nerve-degenerating diseases such as Current treatments don’t stop or reverse degenerative nerve
Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s. diseases, but only alleviate symptoms, sometimes with severe
Biehl developed and tested the compounds with SMU postdoc- side effects. If proved effective and nontoxic in humans,
toral researchers Sukanta Kamila and Haribabu Ankati, and EncephRx’s small-molecule pharmaceutical would be the first
Santosh R. D’Mello, a biology professor at The University of Texas therapeutic tool able to stop affected brain cells from dying
at Dallas. The family of small molecules shows promise in because of these diseases.
protecting brain cells. The researchers now will assist EncephRx in testing and
SMU and UTD have granted Dallas-based startup EncephRx, analyzing the primary compound. The company initially will
Inc. the worldwide license to the jointly owned compounds. A focus development and testing efforts on Huntington’s disease
biotechnology and therapeutics company, EncephRx will develop and potentially will have medications ready for human trials in
drug therapies based on the new class of compounds as a two years.
2011 | spring/summer | smu 9
1920s The Mustang From 1920
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
February March April
1980s
1990s
the first homecoming
2000s of the first “all s.m.u.
class”
“The clock was the cause of it
2010s
all. … that worthy time-piece,
the gift of the 1919 class to its
Alma Mater… ”
The Story Is Told
Since 1920, Alumni Publications Share SMU News
T
he year was 1920. Southern Methodist University had been
open for five years, and alumni were beginning to feel the tug
of alma mater. In January, 12 students volunteered to begin a
new tradition – The Mustang – a magazine for alumni to be published the
last Thursday of each month. H.S. DeVore served as editor; Jordan Ownby
(for whom Ownby Stadium was named) wrote about athletics. “The need
of such a magazine has been felt since the opening of the university,”
they wrote. Unfortunately, after only seven issues, the magazine folded
in November that year. But that publication began a strong tradition of
alumni communication that has taken many shapes and forms throughout
the years. As SMU celebrates the 100th anniversary of its founding in a
“ ndnowwehavewithus
1911 and its opening in 1915, so too will SMU Magazine remember its past thecoffeehouse”
through reproduction of content from various issues through the decades. captain and
And as those early editors stated, even today “Our greatest desire is to center of
produce a magazine that will be a credit to SMU.” the mustang
girls miss
an outing at turtle creek loveeth
king
5¢ to $3
“Indeed it is quite possible that the coffee house
may replace to some extent the old bar. With the
preservation of all its claim for latter institution
in the way of social intercourse and friendly
comraderie (sic), without the evils with which it
was inevtiably (sic) associated.”
the fighting mustangs
May October November
still nearby alumni pledge News Of The Day 1920
honor for support for
merit faculty raises geology classes in demand
Joseph David Doty
The Southern Geology classes have greatly increased in popularity
’16 and George F.
Methodist University since the discovery of the new Texas Fields.
Thomas ’19 are the
Alumni Association
University’s first
has evolved a plan new physical facility
Rhodes Scholars
whereby it will guaran- “The recently completed University gym and excellent
tee the 15 per cent cinder track offer Dallasites the best there is to be had
demographics then and now increase in the teachers’ in quintets and speed demons of the cinder track.”
salaries to be granted
1919-20 2010-11
SMU ENROLLMENT: SMU ENROLLMENT:
by the university next the morrison legacy
year. Each graduate The University has recently signed a four-year
APPROXIMATELY 900 APPROXIMATELY 11,000
and exstudent will pay contract with Ray Morrison to act as director of
FROM TEXAS: 93% FROM TEXAS: 52%
$5 for the first year af- physical education. Morrison needs no introduc-
Other states: Other states:
ter leaving school, $10 tion to the Mustang followers. In the first two
1. Oklahoma 1. California
the second year, $15 the years of the existence of S.M.U. it was he who
2. Arkansas 2. Florida
third year, and so on coached the varsity squad…
3. Louisiana 3. Missouri
through a period of ten
4. Missouri 4. Georgia
years, the last payment
5. Tennessee 5. Illinois the cost of an smu education
amounting to $50 and
6. Oregon 6. Tennessee
the total for each alum- Then 1919-1920 (each term, three per year)
nus coming to $270. TUITION $40
International students: International students:
The present senior class FEES (science, library, medical) $4.50-$7
0 1,052 from 94 countries
has started the move- AVERAGE ROOM AND BOARD $97
ment by contributing
$5 for each member. All Now 2010-2011 (per semester)
alumni will be called TUITION $16,520
trees and on later for their pro FEES $2,095
more trees rata share. AVERAGE ROOM AND BOARD $6,368
Since nature herself did
not put many trees on
the land chosen for our selecman era begins
campus, all the trees we Former SMU President Robert S. Hyer (1911-1920),
possess had to be set right, at the inauguration of SMU’s third president,
out. A tree does not grow Charles Selecman, in 1923.
to maturity in a week or
two and it will be several
years before most of ours
are very large. They have a
good start now, however,
and at some future date
the campus of Southern
Methodist University will
be as beautiful as any in
the country.
daring
do
Programs, Professors
Cultivate Next-geNeratioN
eNtrePreNeurs
By Patricia Ward Senior engineering student Raven Sanders is working on a
prototype and patent for an audio-mixing system.
thread of entrepreneurship weaves through the Science in Entrepreneurship, as well as a noncredit
history of SMU from the beginning. In asking Starting A Business certificate.
“What is our duty to all the coming generations Also within Cox, the Executive M.B.A. program was
of Texans until the end of time? … ,” members of ranked by Financial Times as No. 6 in the world for
the Commission of Education, Methodist Episcopal Church, entrepreneurship last fall.
South of Texas demonstrated game-changing foresight in Andy Nguyen ’11 says the Master of Entrepreneurship
1911. They spotted an opportunity in a growing city and program provided him with a solid handle on the mechanics
joined forces with like-minded civic leaders to bring the of business ownership. Nguyen owns WSI Search, a North
University to life. Dallas marketing firm that specializes in web development
Fast forward six decades: When the Caruth Institute for and Internet marketing strategies, and calls himself a
Entrepreneurship opened in August 1970, “we could identify “serial entrepreneur with a laundry list of ideas.” The nine-
only a handful of universities that even taught a course year Marine veteran, who has served in Afghanistan and
in entrepreneurship,” says Jerry White, director of the Asia, is now mapping out “a nonprofit organization to help
institute in the Cox School of Business. “Today, if you don’t veterans transition into entrepreneurship.”
have a substantial entrepreneurship education program, “The MSE program has given me the tools and resources
then you won’t have a business school.” to build, run and exit a business in the most effective and
The institute was established with the support of W.W. efficient manner,” says Nguyen.
Caruth Jr., son of W.W. Caruth Sr., who donated land to SMU
in 1911. “W.W. Caruth Jr. felt that universities were training ‘be ready to jump’
students to be employees of large organizations, and that’s Engineer Bobby B. Lyle ’67 proves that inventive
not what he chose to be,” White says. “He was ahead of go-getters populate all disciplines. He served as a professor
the curve in recognizing that business schools needed to and administrator at the University before making his
address entrepreneurship education.” mark in the petroleum and natural gas industry. Lyle, an
While White says there’s no hard and fast definition of SMU trustee for more than 20 years, provided gifts that
“entrepreneurship,” he boils it down to “building a business established the Bobby B. Lyle Chair in Entrepreneurship
where none existed before and pursuing the opportunity in Cox – held by Professor Maria Minniti – and laid the
without regard to resources you currently control.” foundation for leadership and entrepreneurship education
“Innovation is not entrepreneurship,” he adds. in the Lyle School of Engineering, which was named for him
“Entrepreneurs take innovation and do something with it.” in 2008.
The Caruth Institute offers four undergraduate and 20 The school offers a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical
graduate courses – from venture financing to financial Engineering with an Engineering Management and
transactions law – to provide students with a solid Entrepreneurship Specialization. In addition courses such
foundation for launching and managing successful ventures. as “Technical Entrepreneurship” encapsulate the challenges
Through the institute students can pursue a Master of of technology start-ups through “on-the-job learning,” says
12 smu | magazine | 2011
Professor Stephen A. Szygenda. as a security system.
Divided into company teams, “If your phone is stolen, you can
students have to decide on a lock and wipe it [erase data] remotely,”
hypothetical venture and develop a Ghadiry explains.
five-year strategy. As the semester After five months on the market, the
unfolds, Szygenda bombards the application has been downloaded more
groups “with different situations, like than 16,000 times from SeekDroid.com
an unanticipated natural disaster. at a price of 99 cents per download.
They have to come up with solutions They began tinkering with apps in
and document how they’ve redirected an electrical engineering special topics
the company to successfully deal course taught by Joseph Camp, the
with the issue.” J. Lindsay Embrey Trustee Professor Brian Tannous (left) and Amir Ghadiry, creators
of the SeekDroid smartphone app
The course’s emphasis on team in the Department of Electrical
dynamics and innovative problem- Engineering. “For students with an Simmons School of Education and
solving complements initiatives of entrepreneurial flair, the mobile phone Human Development will launch a
the Hart Center for Engineering applications market is an emerging Master’s program with a specialization
Leadership, which was funded by a avenue,” Camp says. in urban school leadership. The
gift from Linda ’65 and Mitch Hart 45-hour program was developed by the
and opened in October 2010. it’s not business Department of Educational Leadership
In the lightning-fast technology as usual and Policy in concert with the school’s
sector, “there’s a very small window Some new SMU programs borrow new Education Entrepreneur Center
for success, so when it opens, you have from the B-school toolkit for courses (EEC).
to be ready to jump,” Szygenda says. tailored to a challenging climate. The EEC coalesces efforts of the
New engineering graduates Amir Next month, the Annette Caldwell Simmons School and the Teaching �B
Ghadiry ’11 and Brian Tannous ’11
took a leap into the marketplace
with SeekDroid, an application do you fit the profile?
(“app”) for smartphones that run the Growing up in Carthage, Miss., Jerry White says he was “one of those
Android mobile operating system. The kids who always had a business.” Among his most successful ventures was
multifunction app serves as a locator a snow cone stand. Within weeks of opening, his operation was doing such
– through a secure website, a user can brisk business that his adult-run competition folded.
pinpoint the device’s location – as well White seemed to know instinctively that by offering a superior product
at the right price, he would thrive in the marketplace. So, are some people
born entrepreneurs? While an actual gene linked to entrepreneurship has
not been identified, people who bring their ideas to life do seem to share
some attitudinal DNA, according to White.
among the essential characteristics:
A never-ending sense of urgency. keep things challenging, but they
“They won’t wait; they see the understand that hedgers, not
opportunity and act on it quickly.” gamblers, usually win.”
Superior conceptual ability. Realistic. “They don’t engage in
“Entrepreneurs make sound denial, and they call a spade a
decisions in situations where spade.”
others may feel they don’t have Ethical. “They realize that
enough information to act.” treating people ethically is good
Low need for status. “When for business.”
building a business, they’re not It also helps to have good health
concerned about status or the and stamina, White says. “Running
trappings.” a business requires long hours
Moderate risk-takers. and lots of energy, especially in
“This surprises most people. the beginning.”
Entrepreneurs like a little risk to
Jerry White, director of the Caruth Institute for
Entrepreneurship in the Cox School of Business
2011 | spring/summer | smu 13
Mustang IngenuIty THESE ENTREPRENEURIAL ALUMS BRING IDEAS TO LIFE
YOUNG DREAMER ENTERPRISES ‘enduring perseverance’ to keep going.”
julene fleurmond The little company that could gradually morphed into a
When Oprah Winfrey successful “specialty optics shop,” Hatcher explains. “We
took her show on the improve the performance of lasers used in almost any
road in December, industry: the medical field, in aerospace and even large
journalism graduate industrial lasers that precision-cut materials in factories.”
Julene Fleurmond While retooling the company’s focus, Myatt, who holds
’09 was among the undergraduate degrees in math and physics from SMU and
“Ultimate Viewers” a Ph.D. in atomic physics from the University of Colorado,
treated to a trip to became interested in medical testing equipment. His “little
Australia. side science project” has grown into a separate business: MBio
Diagnostics.
When producers
Myatt developed a portable, affordable device for blood tests
Julene Fleurmond were searching for
that is ideally suited to emerging nations where small clinics
people inspired by Winfrey for the audience of the show’s
rarely have diagnostic equipment. Next month, field trials of
final-season premiere, Fleurmond caught their attention.
the device will begin in Kenya.
Her organization, Young Dreamer Enterprises, and website
More information: precisionphotonics.com and mbiodx.com
(dreamerENT.com) advance creativity and entrepreneurship in
young people through online activities, inspirational posts and
18 RABBITS
videos.
GRANOLA
“Seeing Oprah in person was a surreal experience and
AND BARS
reinforced my belief that by pursuing your passion and
alison bailey
purpose, your dreams can come true,” says Fleurmond, who vercruysse
is now working toward a Master’s in public health at The
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. By harnessing “Pony
While an SMU undergraduate, Fleurmond received a Big power,” Alison Bailey
iDeas grant for her website. Sponsored by SMU’s Office of the Vercruysse ’92 moved
Provost, the Big iDeas program funds selected undergraduate into an important
research proposals aimed at addressing issues that confront national market and
Alison Bailey Vercruysse ’92 (left) and Erin
major metropolitan areas like Dallas. McCormick ’09 found a key employee.
“Having recognition and support from a program like Big Vercruysse started
iDeas encourages you to make your idea bigger,” she says. 18 Rabbits – certified-organic granola and bars – in 2008.
That year, the San Francisco-based entrepreneur met fellow
PRECISION Mustang David Cush ’82, ’83 at an alumni event. Cush,
PHOTONICS president and CEO of Virgin America Airlines, serves as a
chris myatt and Second Century Campaign Steering Committee co-chair.
sally hatcher “He was very gracious, gave me his card and suggested I
send him a box of samples,” she says.
Chris Myatt ’91 had
Vercruysse did, and 18 Rabbits Gracious Granola is now on
the perfect ingredients
the airline’s breakfast menu for a second time.
for a start-up – a good
Two years later, the tables were turned when Erin
idea, a spare room
McCormick ’09 approached Vercruysse. McCormick, a dance
and a lawyer-partner
major, was searching for a new opportunity after living in New
– wife Sally Hatcher
High-energy thin film polarizers are among ’91. The couple founded York for a year.
Precision Photonics’ products. “When I decided to move, I contacted everyone in the SMU
Precision Photonics,
alumni online database who lived in the San Francisco area,”
which specializes in precision optical components, in Boulder,
she explains. “The alums were very encouraging and really
Colorado, in 2000. The telecommunications boom was at its
wanted to help.”
peak, so the timing seemed right.
Coincidentally, Vercruysse, who majored in accounting
“We started as a telecom business. When the bubble burst
and finance at SMU, was hunting for a marketing intern. The
in 2001, 70 percent of our customers went out of business
two hit it off, and McCormick now serves as field marketing
and those remaining weren’t spending money,” says Hatcher,
manager for the company.
who earned undergraduate degrees in philosophy and history
More information: 18rabbits.com
from SMU and a J.D. from the University of Colorado. “It took
14 smu | magazine | 2011
Mustang IngenuIty
TOMS SHOES
blake mycoskie
TOMS Shoes isn’t just another footwear
company and founder Blake Mycoskie isn’t a
cookie-cutter executive. His title synthesizes an
unusual corporate philosophy: He doesn’t call
himself “chief executive officer.” Rather, he’s
the self-proclaimed “chief shoe giver.”
TOMS – the name is derived from Shoes For
Zannie Voss, chair of Meadows’ Division of Arts Management and Arts
Entrepreneurship Tomorrow – operates on a one-for-one giving
model: For each pair of TOMS shoes sold, one
Trust, a nonprofit organization them to take a proactive role in
pair is given away. As of 2010, more than 1
established by entrepreneurs sculpting their post-SMU futures
million pairs of shoes had been donated to
Rosemary Perlmeter, founder of now,” says Zannie Voss, chair of
needy children in over 20 countries, including
Uplift Education charter schools, the Division of Arts Management
the United States.
and Ellen Wood, a financial and and Arts Entrepreneurship in
Mycoskie started the enterprise in 2006 after
social investment consultant, to Meadows and professor with a
a trip to Argentina, where he was moved by a
offer high-quality professional dual appointment in Meadows
group of youngsters with no shoes to protect
preparation for emerging school and Cox.
their feet. When he returned to the U.S., he
leaders as well as development Beginning in the fall,
decided that writing a check wasn’t enough
opportunities for seasoned Meadows will offer an
and developed the idea for TOMS. Today, a
principals. undergraduate minor in arts
range of designs for men, women and children
Lee Alvoid, clinical associate entrepreneurship open to
bears the distinctive TOMS logo.
professor and department chair, students from any major on
Over a decade ago, Mycoskie started his first
believes some of the business campus who want to develop
company, a laundry service, while an SMU
approaches used to turn around their ideas for new arts – or
student. He later created and sold a billboard
ailing companies can be modified entertainment-related ventures.
company and worked in TV development and
and applied to low-performing The six-course minor focuses on
entertainment marketing before finding the
urban schools. such skills as arts budgeting and
perfect fit.
“Entrepreneurial educators financial management, attracting
What’s his next step? When delivering the
can find and deploy resources capital (donors, investors and
keynote address at South by Southwest in
in a creative and nontraditional public funds) and generating an
March, Mycoskie teased that TOMS “will no
manner,” she explains. “They are arts venture plan.
longer be just a shoe company.” He’s expected
able to create an organizational As they home in on how to
to announce his new one-for-one idea this
culture focused on the students monetize their ideas, students
summer.
and have the ability to develop may redefine success in terms of
More information: toms.com and Mycoskie’s blog,
policies that support change personal fulfillment rather than startsomethingthatmatters.com
that’s important in urban schools fame. And even those who have
with low performance.” their sights set on stardom need
Much like the Simmons to be able to interpret a financial
program aims to prepare school statement.
leaders to achieve under difficult “The reality is that it’s in our
conditions, a new Meadows students’ best interests to not
School of the Arts initiative only create their own art and
merges a business perspective films but also to understand
with classical training as an how to sustain themselves,” Voss
intellectual gyroscope for a says. “This initiative emphasizes
shifting arts landscape. Meadows’ encouragement of
“Our students are incredibly students to ‘start a movement.’”
proficient and expert with their
talent as performers and artists.
We don’t want them to wait
for the phone to ring; we want Blake Mycoskie celebrates TOMS’ success.
2011 | spring/summer | smu 15
NEW DEAN OUTLINES VISION FOR DEDMAN COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SCIENCES
By Susan White
illiam Tsutsui has been dean of Dedman degrees in history from Princeton University, a Master
College of Humanities and Sciences since July of Letters in modern Japanese history from Oxford
2010 but already he has made news. Tsutsui was University’s Corpus Christi College and graduated summa
blogging about his experiences with the Japanese cum laude from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts
American Leadership Delegation that was visiting Tokyo in East Asian Studies.
when the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan March 11. As dean of the largest of SMU’s seven schools, Tsutsui
His interviews and SMU Adventures blog provided media has been promoting the benefits of a liberal arts education
outlets (from The New York Times and NBC Nightly News to numerous alumni and SMU constituents and developing
to CNN and The Dallas Morning News) with an eyewitness a strategic plan to position Dedman College for further
account of the natural disaster’s impact on Japan. In fact, progress. He also is helping Dedman College prepare for
Tsutsui’s quote comparing the movement of downtown its major role in implementing the new undergraduate
skyscrapers to “trees swaying in the breeze” was the Times’ University Curriculum, which goes into effect for the
quote of the day March 12. He also has spoken to numerous entering class in fall 2012. And on occasion, he will eagerly
student groups on the subject. share his passion about the Japanese film icon, Godzilla,
Tsutsui, a specialist in modern Japanese business the subject of one of his books. Action figures of the
and economic history, joined SMU from the University mutant monster line the shelves in his office in Dallas Hall.
of Kansas, where he served as associate dean for In the following interview Tsutsui shares his optimism
international studies in the College of Arts and Sciences, about the future of Dedman College.
professor of history and director of the Kansas Consortium
for Teaching About Asia. He received M.A. and Ph.D.
16 smu | magazine | 2011
You have said that Dedman College and SMU provide the
perfect formula for the model of success in higher education.
What do you mean by that?
We’re at a difficult point in higher education in the United
States. It’s not just the economic issues facing a lot of
universities now, but also an existential crisis – what
are we doing, what value are we giving to students? I
spent 17 years at the prototypical flatland state university
being asked by taxpayers in the state of Kansas to train
their kids to do anything and everything and to do it for
nothing. Big public institutions like Kansas and Berkeley
and Ohio State are wonderful examples of the modern
“SMU and Dedman College are the perfect mingling of the two great
American research university that have contributed to life, traditions of teaching and research,” says Dean William Tsutsui.
well-being and knowledge in countless ways. The problem
is that the model of a gigantic state university funded the liberal arts prepare you not just for one job (as more
largely by federal research grants and touching every narrow professional or vocational training might) but for
aspect of society looks increasingly like a brontosaurus, a wide range of jobs that need readily transferable skills
and we’re undergoing climate change in higher education. like reading, writing, research, analysis and creativity; the
In particular, state universities have lost touch with liberal arts prepare individuals to lead full, open-minded,
a fundamental part of their mission – the education of civically engaged and reflective lives; today, nations
undergraduate students. That’s something that liberal arts like China and India are trying to emulate the liberal
colleges like Amherst and Williams have long focused on arts from America to stir creativity and breadth in their
and continue to do extremely well. But liberal arts colleges undergraduates.
also fall short in serving students and society because they But we also need to emphasize the role of the liberal
don’t have the commitment to creating knowledge that a arts in combating the fear that seems so prevalent
research university does. SMU and Dedman College are the today in American families and throughout our society,
perfect mingling of these two great traditions of teaching a pervasive sense of anxiety growing from economic
and research. We have high-powered, cutting-edge uncertainty, international concerns, and political divisions.
research, scholars winning highly competitive national It is precisely at this moment, I believe, that the liberal
research grants and creating knowledge that could change arts are the most valuable. The constant questioning,
millions of lives. At the same time, every faculty member critical thinking and healthy skepticism that characterize
in the College is dedicated to teaching undergraduate the humanities and sciences are a potent antidote to
students. A rich undergraduate experience, based on uncertainty and anxiety. A liberal education teaches us
individual relationships between faculty and students that “not knowing” is the normal state of being and that by
inside and beyond the classroom, must continue to be the thoughtful, self-reflective and collaborative investigation,
hallmark of Dedman College and SMU. experimentation, discussion and debate, new options can
be discovered, new truths revealed and a new comfort
How do you make the case that the liberal arts continue to play found amid insecurity and doubt. The liberal arts help us
a vital role and make significant contributions to society? master and direct our fears and approach the future not
with apprehension and unease, but with the confidence
We are undeniably in a moment of renewed worries that no challenge is too great to be studied, contemplated
about the state of the liberal arts and increased scrutiny and eventually surmounted.
of the place of liberal education in American colleges
and universities. The discontinuation of departments and You’ve been working on a strategic plan for Dedman College.
degrees, especially in the humanities, at many institutions One of the main initiatives is support for undergraduate
has been chilling. And students seem to be voting with education. What does that entail?
their feet, walking in the same direction for a couple
of generations: away from the liberal arts and toward As part of a university with several high-caliber
professional schools. professional schools that offer attractive undergraduate
We’re all familiar with the arguments for why a liberal programs, Dedman College must provide the kind of
education is the best possible preparation for life and curricula and educational experiences that can draw
career in America today: look at any corporate board of the best students to the liberal arts. To get those top
directors or the leadership of any top government agency students requires an institution to not only offer excellent
and you are likely to find a slew of liberal arts graduates; academic programs but also top scholarship support.
2011 | spring/summer | smu 17
Fostering Entrepreneurship And Dedman College has been a little behind the
Innovation In Japan times in that regard. Happily, with the Dedman
Blog by Dedman College Dean William Tsutsui College Scholars program we’ve begun to
compete for exceptional students at the highest
ne of the major topics of discussion on my recent trip to Japan
level. We must work harder to build the financial
was entrepreneurship. Japan’s economy has been in a seem-
base of endowed scholarship funds that are
ingly endless funk for the past two decades … and today it is not a
necessary to increase the academic quality of
particularly entrepreneurial place. The economy is dominated by large
our undergraduates.
corporations, the hand of government in industrial and financial af-
We need to take advantage of our real
fairs is heavy, and the education system is geared more to producing
strengths at SMU and one of those is our size
conformist company men (and women) than to encouraging enterpris-
– this is still a very intimate campus, where
ing free thinkers. The well-respected Global Entrepreneurship Monitor,
students can have extraordinary experiences
for example, consistently ranks Japan among the least entrepreneurial
and take on unique roles. One of the ways they
nations on earth.
can do that is through undergraduate research.
Many argue that there are deep cultural elements behind Japan’s
At large state universities focused on attracting
anemic entrepreneurialism. Japan, some say, is a collective culture,
huge research grants, faculty often don’t have
where emphasis on the group overwhelms the kind of muscular in-
the time to mentor undergraduates, to give them
dividualism necessary for entrepreneurial success. Others stress the
an enhanced educational experience. At SMU we
profound risk-aversion of Japanese society.
can do that in our labs, libraries and classrooms.
There are also structural issues conditioning the environment for en-
Dedman College also needs to create more
trepreneurialism in Japan. The tax and legal systems do not encourage
degree programs that capture the interests of
entrepreneurial daring. Venture capital is scarce in Japan: some say it
students, such as we have achieved through
is because all the money has surged into hyper-entrepreneurial China;
the Embrey Human Rights Program. Students
others argue that the stunted culture of innovation and risk-taking in
today (and especially those we have at SMU)
Japan simply scares away the investors.
are incredibly idealistic – they grew up doing
One certainty is that Japan has historically been a pretty darned
community service projects and participating
entrepreneurial place. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many
in volunteer programs. The Human Rights
of the firms that now constitute Japan’s gold-plated corporate estab-
Program offers them an opportunity to explore
lishment were founded by go-for-broke home-grown entrepreneurs:
how they can make a difference at a personal
the Mitsubishi empire, Toyota, and most of Japan’s banks began as
level in the world. We need to develop similar
textbook cases of vigorous, creative entrepreneurship. Even in the mid-
major and minor programs that build on faculty
20th century, when Japan’s hierarchical corporate economy began to
strengths and engage our undergraduates: I
gel, entrepreneurs were plentiful and many achieved outstanding suc-
hope we can expand our existing environmental
cess: Honda Soichiro turned a small engine shop into one of the world’s
studies program and consider degrees related
dominant car makers; Matsushita Konosuke’s drive and daring built
to important issues like migration, where
Panasonic; and Morita Akio and Ibuka Masaru made Sony (started in a
Dedman College has interdisciplinary expertise
run-down shed in 1946) a household name worldwide.
in anthropology, sociology, literary studies and
There are certainly glimmers of hope today for Japanese entrepre-
political science.
neurialism. Efforts from the grassroots to create incubators and net-
We also need to provide more opportunities
works of innovation on the local or regional level are beginning to show
for international exposure, both inside the
some results. Some large mainstream companies have been trying to
classroom and through education abroad, and
loosen up and encourage “intrapreneurship,” entrepreneurial initiatives
for service learning. New and enhanced options
within established firms, as a growth strategy. And there are a series of
in experiential learning and building global
new collaborations between the United States and Japan around entre-
awareness will contribute to the undergraduate
preneurship and innovation under way, including a promising partner-
experience.
ship between Hawaii and Okinawa around green energy.
What assures me that Japan has the spark and the spirit to break
new ground entrepreneurially is the incredible creativity and energy of
Japanese popular culture. That the hyperactive minds and imaginations
of the creators of anime and manga, video games and cult movies have
flourished in straight-laced, hammer-down-that-nail Japan is evidence
aplenty that there is the vision and capacity for entrepreneurship on
a grand scale in the nation today. When this creative, constructive,
freewheeling style reaches its full potential, Japan’s economy may be a
force to reckon with once again.
18 smu | magazine | 2011
How does the strategic plan address graduate education? Why are interdisciplinary programs a major aspect of the
College’s strategic plan?
That is a tough one, because many people still think
of SMU as primarily an undergraduate institution. The budgetary zero-sum game that has affected Dedman
Nevertheless, the research projects that we’re engaged College for the past 25 years has made it very difficult
in and the high-level scholarship that takes place for faculty to collaborate across disciplines – they’ve
in the College are not sustainable without vibrant pulled back into their departments, reluctant to support
graduate programs. Strong graduate programs also feed interdisciplinary endeavors. But the problems of the world
collaborations across disciplines, build bridges to the today are too big for any one discipline or department to
community through research and service, and enhance solve. Look at any of the big issues – cancer, health care,
the productivity of faculty. Graduate students also can climate change, democratic transformations – all of these
play an important role in mentoring undergraduates require scholars with a variety of training and expertise
and facilitating undergraduate research projects. Many coming together to explore possible solutions.
graduate programs in Dedman College have long histories I am proposing the creation of a new organization in
and records of educating and placing their students. the College to stimulate the kind of interdisciplinary
Unfortunately, graduate education is probably the least collaboration that feeds an active intellectual climate.
well-funded part of the College now. We need to find Dedman College is rare among universities at our level
ways to build support for our doctoral programs, to offer in that it doesn’t have a humanities center. I envision
students financial packages (including health benefits) a high-profile institute that will spark interdisciplinary
that are competitive with other top universities around the connections across departments and schools, throughout
country, and to increase the number of graduate students the humanities and sciences, spanning research and
within our departments. teaching. It also would welcome undergraduate and
graduate students in addition to faculty. I can easily
In a time of budget cutting and faculty reduction at imagine it contributing to the development of new courses
universities nationwide, you are proposing an increase in and new degree programs, as well as enhancing our ability
Dedman College faculty. Why? to compete for large research grants. Dedman College is
fortunate in having a number of established units that
Despite the overall growth at SMU, the development of new support interdisciplinary research: the Tower Center for
programs and the ever-increasing demands on scholars Political Studies and the Clements Center for Southwest
and educators, the total number of faculty in Dedman Studies have international profiles, the Institute for the
College has not changed in 25 years. Recruiting and Study of Earth and Man is a long-term contributor to
retaining a faculty of excellence is an ongoing challenge, research in the natural sciences, and the new Center for
especially in today’s competitive climate. For Dedman Scientific Computational Science has great potential. These
College, however, the size of the faculty may well be our centers and institutes can and should provide leadership in
most pressing concern. Almost all College departments stimulating dialogue across campus, but the new institute
have fewer tenure-track faculty than their equivalents in will play a critical role in creating a vibrant culture of
SMU’s comparative peer institutions, and some are not interdisciplinarity in the College and at SMU.
even staffed to the levels found
in small liberal arts colleges. This
situation means that Dedman
College departments generally do
not have the number of faculty
necessary to provide the breadth
of teaching and research generally
expected in leading American
universities. We need to work
through the Second Century
Campaign to build the number
of endowed chairs, which have a
rapid and substantial impact on
the reputation of the University.
We can hire well in Dedman
College, we just need the financial
resources to do it.
Students conduct research in the lab with Eva Oberdorster, senior lecturer in biological sciences (right).
2011 | spring/summer | smu 19
What are your priorities for research in Dedman College? Why is it important to raise Dedman College’s profile?
Historically, the majority of externally funded research Dedman College serves Dallas in countless ways, but we
at SMU has been conducted in Dedman College. We have seldom get the recognition we deserve because few people
the potential to do even more, but we need to provide are aware of all that we do. The College’s outreach spans
better support for undergraduate and graduate research from members of our Economics Department consulting
and further assist junior faculty members in competing with the Federal Reserve Bank in downtown Dallas to our
for the top national grants. We also need bridge funding faculty in the sciences collaborating with researchers at UT
to help senior faculty start new projects or launch new Southwestern Medical Center to undergraduate students in
areas of investigation. In addition, we must ensure that sociology, world languages and religious studies working
the natural and social sciences have adequate laboratories on tutoring, bilingual education or local history programs
and collaborative spaces, and that they have the latest with low-income communities in East Dallas. Connecting
technology to support the work of scholars and students. Dedman College more deeply with Dallas will enrich
Dedman College faculty members have long been faculty scholarship and the student experience, provide
enthusiastic participants in the process of discovery, new opportunities for applied research and funding, and
and a lot of people locally recognize the value of that contribute to our region’s economic vitality and the quality
research – the benefit it brings not just to the world but to of life.
Dallas in particular – because it generates new economic
opportunities and addresses a wide variety of social, What will Dedman College’s role be in implementing the
political and cultural challenges. new University Curriculum (formerly General Education
People want to invest in people. That’s why it is so Curriculum), effective fall 2012?
important to get our faculty out into the community as part
of the Second Century Campaign. When alumni see the Dedman College is where all SMU students begin their
passion that our biologists, economists, psychologists and collegiate journey, no matter what majors or minors they
other faculty bring to their research, they understand that ultimately choose. The University Curriculum provides
what can seem like a faceless institutional gift actually the common knowledge, skills and experiences every
has a very human imprint. To help stimulate research student must accrue before he or she graduates. The new
activity, the College, working with our Campaign Steering curriculum makes it easier to pursue multiple majors
Committee co-chairs Kelly Hoglund Compton ’79 and Fred and minors. It also accommodates more opportunities for
Hegi ’66, has created the Dean’s Research Council, a donor honors programming, international study, undergraduate
organization that provides resources for promising new research, internship experiences and service learning.
scholarly projects. We’ve already received a $100,000 Students must demonstrate second-language proficiency
leadership gift from Pierce Allman ’54 and have selected equal to four semesters of college study.
some impressive young, tenure-track faculty members – What I particularly like is that the new curriculum
Amy Pinkham in psychology, Yunkai Zhou in mathematics engages students more actively in the process of their
and Lisa Siraganian in English – who will receive seed own education, forcing them to do more than just sit in a
funding as a springboard to compete for large federal grants. classroom and take notes from PowerPoint slides. It will
require students to think about how they learn and
what they’re going to learn, asking them to be more
active and intentional, for example, in identifying
a community service experience or gaining global
perspectives.
SMU will be in the forefront of having an up-to-
date student-focused curriculum. Of course, this
new curriculum also will pose a few challenges for
Dedman College. The foreign language requirement
will have a huge impact on our World Languages
and Literatures Department. We also have to work
to develop our interdisciplinary offerings. There
is sure be a lot of juggling in introducing this
curriculum, but it’s a valuable opportunity for
faculty and the institution to evaluate and sharpen
the undergraduate experience – this challenges us
to reflect on what we are doing in the classroom
Geothermal Lab coordinator Maria Richards (right) points out geothermal hot spots to and what we can be doing better.
graduate students.
20 smu | magazine | 2011
What are you saying to alumni who may be concerned that The 4-1-1 About Dedman College
the SMU “as they know it” is going to change? of Humanities and Sciences
I’ve spent a lot of time talking to alumni about their • About 40 percent of SMU’s undergraduates choose majors in
strongest memories of SMU. Some will mention Dedman College.
athletics, for others it was their sorority and fraternity • 16 academic departments
experiences. But I’m often pleasantly surprised by the • Full-time faculty: 301, including 18 visiting appointments; 25
number of alumni who can remember the first classes endowed faculty positions; three professors have been named
they took. I was talking recently to a successful graduate to the National Academy of Sciences
in the automobile industry who transferred to SMU; • 50 Bachelor’s degree programs
he remembers even today that one of his first classes • More than 85 majors and minors, including innovative
was in philosophy, and that he called his parents right academic programs like Environmental Studies, Markets and
afterward and said, “This is the place I was meant to Culture, and Human Rights
be.” That’s exactly the experience I want our students to • 31 graduate programs – 18 leading to a Master’s degree; 13 to
have when they take classes in Dedman College. I don’t a Ph.D. degree
want them to think, “This is high school, year five.” They • The economics Ph.D. program, the University’s first, was
need to be exposed to a broad range of perspectives approved in 1958.
(and challenges) by their instructors. As long as we • 338 graduate students (spring 2011)
keep engaging students and firing their curiosity, that • 982 students graduated from Dedman College in the 2009-
fundamental experience of an SMU education will 2010 academic year.
remain consistent over the decades. That’s the genius • Received more than $18.7 million in sponsored research last
of the liberal arts – you never know what will capture a year (74% of University total for 2009-10)
student’s passion. • Dedman College Scholars – Provides merit-based scholarships
There is so much to learn out there in the world, for students pursuing a Dedman College major.
and it’s unlikely we’re ever going to learn exactly all • Dean’s Research Council – Supports faculty research through
that we need to know. Take for example the events a member-based donor group.
unfolding today in Libya. You probably can count on
one hand the people in America who’ve had courses on Notable Programs
Libyan politics. It’s not a good investment of resources • The Embrey Human Rights Program – Boasts the largest un-
at most universities to have specialists in only that dergraduate minor in human rights in the United States with
field. Nevertheless, as informed citizens we need broad 67 minors.
exposure to political movements, to Islam, to technology • University Honors Program – An intellectual community for
and its power, and to civil-military relations that allow SMU’s most talented undergraduates.
us to understand an unpredictable and rapidly changing • BRITE Scholars Program – Students majoring in biology,
situation like we’re seeing in Libya and all over the biochemistry, or chemistry and planning research careers in
Middle East. And that’s what the liberal arts can offer us. biomedicine can apply for admission to SMU and simultane-
Even if you haven’t been trained to deal with a specific ously for acceptance to a Ph.D. program at the UT Southwest-
issue or series of events, a broad liberal education ern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
equips you with a toolkit of analytical skills for making • The John Goodwin Tower Center for Political Studies – Pro-
informed, intelligent decisions about a rapidly changing motes the study and discussion of politics and international
world. affairs, and engages students in public service through in-
sightful teaching and hands-on research.
What are your final thoughts on Dedman College? • The Clements Center for Southwest Studies – Promotes
research, publishing, teaching, and public programming in a
The time is now for Dedman College; we have all the variety of fields of inquiry related to the American Southwest.
ingredients to really fly – a wonderful faculty, a strong • Academic Community Engagement (ACE) Program – Students
student base, and a supportive administration and Board live in the ACE house in East Dallas and serve as tutors and
of Trustees. Now is the time for us to define our vision, civic guides to children in the neighborhood.
to ask where we want to go and how investment will • Godbey Lecture Series – An outreach program to introduce the
make a difference, and then to take off. There is no more Dallas community to Dedman College faculty and the scholarly
optimistic campus in America than SMU, and there is no research that takes place.
part of this University better positioned for growth and
success than Dedman College. To support Dedman College’s faculty, students, research and
For more information on Dedman College, visit programs, visit www.smu.edu/Dedman/Giving or call Courtney
www.smu.edu/dedman. Corwin ’89 at 214-768-2691.
2011 | spring/summer | smu 21
Throughout red-and-blue SMU, green practices have become a way of life as
the University community rallies to cut waste and conserve precious resources.
In Cockrell-McIntosh Hall, Pamela Varela’s small refrigerator used to
be stocked with single-use plastic water bottles. Now Varela, a resident
assistant, relies on reusable bottles.
“I used to think that throwing all those plastic water bottles into
the recycling bin was enough, until I realized that it’s best not to
have a bottle to recycle in the first place,” says Varela, a sophomore
environmental engineering major. She also is a member of the SMU
Environmental Society and the campus co-chair of RecycleMania,
a national intercollegiate recycling competition.
Not far from Varela’s South Quad living quarters, a crew
completes the installation of a new chiller for Barr Pool. The high-
efficiency system captures energy that would otherwise evaporate
into the atmosphere and converts it into heat. As a result, the
University will save about $80,000 a year in heating costs for the
outdoor swimming pool.
On the west side of Bishop Boulevard, students gather for lunch
at the campus’ main dining hall, the Real Food on Campus (RFoC)
in Umphrey Lee, where trays have been removed. That action has
yielded substantial decreases not only in water consumption but also
in the amount of food thrown away, according to Michael Marr, SMU
director of dining services and resident district manager for Aramark,
which provides dining services.
SMU’s Environmental
Footprint Shrinks,
One Step At A Time
At Barr Pool, a new, high-efficiency chiller system saves the
by patricia ward
University about $80,000 annually in heating costs.
“When people use trays, they tend to pile up their plates with much more food than
they’ll eat,” he says. “Without the trays, food waste has been reduced by 4 to 6 ounces per
meal a day, and we serve an average of 3,000 meals each day.”
many shades of green
The widely accepted definition of “sustainability” – eco-conscious behavior that “meets the
needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
needs” – was established as a national goal when the Environmental Protection Agency was
formed in 1970. That year, the first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22.
The SMU Sustainability Committee generates the kind of awareness that Earth Day evokes
and supports it throughout the year. Established in 2009, the committee focuses efforts by
students, faculty and staff on a sweeping plan to recycle, reduce waste and reuse. The long-
term strategy encompasses resource management programs, student initiatives and green-
building construction as well as degree programs, course offerings and research.
22 smu | magazine | 2011
Steps to shrink SMU’s environmental footprint are taken around the clock, says Michael
Paul, executive director of Facilities Management and Sustainability (FM&S) and a member
of the SMU Sustainability Committee. SMU collected 119 tons
“There’s not one big thing we do that’s the sustainability panacea; it’s the thousand little
things that really add up and make a difference,” Paul says. of recyclables
FM&S takes the lead in rethinking business as usual by identifying new recycling and
waste management opportunities as well as finding products and techniques that are eco- during 2011 RecycleMania.
friendly and cost-effective.
“Before we adopt a new method or system, it not only has to meet certain environmental
criteria but it also has to make economic sense,” Paul says.
As an example, he points to the replacement of incandescent bulbs
with LED bulbs in all exit signs. On average an LED bulb uses about
a 10th of the energy and lasts about 80 years, compared to the three-
month lifespan of an incandescent bulb. “In one year the program paid
for itself,” he says.
forward thinking
SMU’s long-term commitment to sustainability includes academic
tracks to educate students who can meet the needs of a changing world
and develop energy-conservation tactics that will play out over decades.
Environmental degree programs – Environmental Studies and
Environmental Sciences in Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences
and the Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering in Lyle
School of Engineering – prepare students now to develop solutions to
mounting global sustainability issues.
“I’m interested in research and work being done around the world to
reduce carbon emissions by switching to renewable resources for fuel,”
says Sarah Karimi, a sophomore environmental sciences and chemistry
double major from Karachi, Pakistan. “My academic background helps me
understand the environment from a scientific perspective, and I hope to
pursue research that will contribute to sustainable energy solutions.” Sophomore Elizabeth Peterson serves as an Environmental
Researchers like David Blackwell, Hamilton Professor of Geothermal Representative, or E-Rep, a student staff position assigned to
Studies and one of the country’s foremost authorities on geothermal a residence hall to promote recycling and other green efforts.
energy, and SMU Geothermal Laboratory Coordinator Maria Richards
explore the alternative energy frontier. Their breakthrough mapping
of the nation’s geothermal resources shows the vast potential for
geothermal energy, which harnesses heat from the Earth’s core.
Geothermal energy is reliable – and with the right technology can
be generated virtually everywhere.
“That’s really the holy grail of geothermal: that you can go anywhere
and extract the Earth’s heat,” Blackwell told National Geographic News
in December.
SMU’s Sustainability Committee also is looking at energy through a
long-range lens. A Carbon Action Plan with a 30-year goal of attaining
carbon neutrality is in development, according to Michael Paul. The plan
will outline specific projects to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by
using fiscally sound technologies.
“If we’re not good stewards of the environment today, then we’re not
setting up generations to come for success,” he says. “Sustainability is as
much about the future as it is about today. ”
Mackenzie Keck, a first-year advertising student, shines in a
visit smu.edu/sustainability to check out smu’s real-time water and electricity
design by Diana Mansour, a first-year business student. They
usage on the building dashboard. participated in the inaugural eco-fashion show hosted by
SMU’s Environmental Representatives March 25.
web extras: read about recent tree replacements, the smu community garden
and other smu sustainability projects at smu.edu/smumagazine.
2011 | spring/summer | smu 23
The Second cenTury c
2O11-2O15
2011-2015:
A five-year commemoration celebrating
SMU’s founding in 1911 and opening in 1915
Special Publications
Remarkable Alumni Reunions
Centennial Exhibitions
Commemorative Moments
Spectacular Events
The Second
celebraTion
cenTury
celebraTion
organizing
commiTTee
Co-Chairs
Ruth Collins Sharp Altshuler ‘48
Carl Sewell ‘66
honorary Co-Chairs
William P. Clements, Jr. ‘39
Edwin L. Cox ‘42
JOIN THE CElEbraTION Nancy McMillan Dedman ‘50
William L. Hutchison, Sr. ‘54
Bobby B. Lyle ‘67
Save The Date
Cary M. Maguire
Robert A. Meadows
Homecoming and Centennial Reunions Annette Caldwell Simmons ‘57
November 3–6, 2O11 Kay Prothro Yeager ‘61
Centennial Reunions for the classes of
’66, ’71, ’76, ’81, ’86, ’91, ’96, ’01, ’06 ViCe Chairs
Michael M. Boone ‘63, ‘67
Reserve Your Copy
Vice Chair, Community Celebration
Kelly Hoglund Compton ‘79
Reserve your copy of SMU’s stunning centennial picture Vice Chair, Academic Celebration
book showcasing the majestic beauty of the Hilltop. Rev. Mark Craig
Vice Chair, Church Relations
Linda Pitts Custard ‘60, ‘99
Make Your Mark Vice Chair, Special Events
Antonio O. Garza, Jr. ‘83
You can purchase an etched paver on SMU’s planned Vice Chair, International Celebration
Centennial Promenade. Bishop Scott J. Jones ‘81, ‘92
Vice Chair, Church Relations
Wear Your SMU Pride Jeanne L. Phillips ‘76
Vice Chair, Centennial Host Committees
Through 2015, you can purchase the SMU ring Richard Ware ‘68
Vice Chair, Alumni Celebration
marked with a special centennial engraving.
at-large MeMbers, 2010–11
Share Your Memories. Liz Martin Armstrong ‘82
Co-chair, Parent Leadership Council
We welcome contributions of beanie caps, yearbooks,
Linda S. Eads
photographs and more. President, SMU Faculty Senate
Contact us at 214-768-3022 or smu100@smu.edu. Ken S. Malcolmson ‘74
Chair, SMU Alumni Board
Jake E. Torres ‘11
President, SMU Student Body
at-large MeMbers, 2011–12
Bill Vanderstraaten
Chair, SMU Alumni Board
Chair, Parent Leadership Council
Chair, SMU Faculty Senate
President, SMU Student Body
Ex OfficiO
Caren H. Prothro
Chair, SMU Board of Trustees
R. Gerald Turner
President, SMU
Brad E. Cheves
Vice President, Development and
External Affairs, SMU
Stay tuned for news of more special events and publications. Smu.edu/1oo (As of March 1, 2011)
VETERAN
STUDENTS
GIs Transition From Military Service
To College Classroom
By Sarah Hanan
F
our years ago in volatile For his service, he was awarded the Enrollment Services and the schools are
southern Baghdad, Captain Bronze Star and rated top platoon leader working on financial arrangements, which
Troy Vaughn ’11 was in charge by his battalion commander. include participating in the Yellow Ribbon
of a 32-member scout platoon Today Vaughn, 28, is earning an M.B.A. Program, an addendum to the Post-9/11
for the Army, leading more at the Cox School of Business, where he GI Bill, to enable currently enrolled
than 250 high-risk counter- has studied operations management and veterans to continue their education at
insurgency and reconnaissance missions honed his leadership skills. SMU, says Veronica Decena, manager,
over 15 months. In addition to ensuring Vaughn is one of the nearly 150 SMU Registrar’s Office.
the success of the missions and the safety undergraduate and graduate students “We estimate that at least $200,000
of his troops while dodging snipers’ bullets attending SMU on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, will be needed to cover tuition and
and searching for Al-Qaeda, Vaughn found which provides education benefits to fees next academic year where the
that “everyday reality” also commanded military veterans and their dependents. current GI benefit leaves off,” she
his attention. The bill is a 2008 update to the 1944 GI adds. “We don’t know if the cap will be
“Real life doesn’t stop for the soldiers, Bill of Rights, which awarded scholarships supplemented for all students by the
who can be dealing with all kinds of to World War II veterans to colleges of Yellow Ribbon Program,” which
issues – from family to financial to their choice. currently covers only graduate and
emotional,” Vaughn says. “My challenge However, beginning in August 2011, professional students. (For more
was to take care of the soldiers – ensure changes to the Post-9/11 GI Bill create a information, visit smu.edu/registrar/
they were grounded emotionally and nationwide cap of $17,500 a year for veterans.asp.)
spiritually and had all the support they tuition and fees reimbursement for Following, six veterans reflect on
needed to do their jobs effectively.” private universities. SMU’s Division of their experiences as students at SMU.
26 smu | magazine | 2011
preparing to deploy
In summer 2011 Sarah Wiita, 24, will to a big state school.”
deploy for a year as a health care The Army’s emphasis on discipline has
specialist with the U.S. Army Reserves helped her transition to college life and
490th Civil Affairs Battalion. The five balance coursework with her training
members of her civil affairs unit expect and part-time jobs, she says. “I realized I
to be stationed in the Horn of Africa. have different perspectives on politics
They will serve as military liaisons with and other topics in my classes, probably
local authorities and nongovernmental because I’ve been working for so long,”
organizations while assessing how best she says.
to provide aid and services to residents Rick Halperin, director of the Embrey
in need. Human Rights Program, describes Wiita
Troy Vaughn
“We have been training at least one as a credit to SMU and the country.
something bigger weekend a month at the Army Reserve “Sarah has embraced an understanding
Center in Grand Prairie, and more often of all people’s rights and can use them to
than yourself as we’re preparing to leave,” says Wiita, the benefit of all in her military
The leadership skills that served a junior psychology major and human operations,” he says.
Vaughn well while in the military continue rights minor in Dedman College. After serving a year in Africa, Wiita
to do so at Cox. He has been a member of As the unit’s lone health care intends to return to SMU to finish her
the M.B.A. Energy Club and was president specialist, Wiita is headed to Fort Sam coursework and attend graduate school
and a founding member of Veterans in Houston for medic training before in psychology. She wants to work with
Business, which helps student veterans in deployment. She has been studying women and children who are victims of
their transition from the military to a current events in Africa with her unit trafficking. “In warzones around the
career in business. and says her courses in SMU’s Embrey world, the men do the fighting, while the
“We’ve grown from five members to Human Rights Program also have helped women and kids are left behind and
nearly 30,” he says. “We’ve built strong her understand different cultures and suffer the consequences,” she says.
connections among ourselves, and we also histories. “People may think human “When I joined the military, I thought
have connected our members with rights and the Army don’t go together, about serving our country, and now I’m
networking and job opportunities. These but the Army does a lot of noncombat looking forward to the opportunity to
students demonstrate discipline and operations and tries to make a difference serve people around the world.”
leadership, even in the most challenging with civilian populations. That’s how I try
situations.” to represent the military.”
Holding an internship and part-time Wiita joined the Reserves in 2008
position with an energy exploration while earning an Associate’s degree in
company while completing his studies, applied science at Collin County
Vaughn has accepted a project manager Community College and training as a
position with Sharyland Utilities after paramedic and emergency medical
graduation this May. technician on an ambulance. “I told the
A 2004 graduate of the U.S. Military Army recruiter I wanted to be a combat
Academy at West Point, Vaughn served in medic,” she says. “I enjoyed my medical
the military for more than five years, most work and knew I wanted to continue to
recently as commander of a Texas National do something challenging, something I
Guard infantry company. He was reared in could dedicate myself to.”
Bulverde, Texas, in a family that takes pride When considering where to continue
in its patriotism, he says. “In the military, her college education in 2009, she
you get a sense of service, of doing applied only to SMU because of the
something bigger than yourself,” he says. strength of its reputation, she says. “I
“I’m hoping to achieve that in business.” love the campus, and I didn’t want to go Sarah Wiita
In Service To
Their Country
James Noel Kashima Jones Necorian Jones Troy Vaughn
2011 | spring/summer | smu 27
furthering the
mission
Former Petty Officer 2nd Class James
Noel, 28, served aboard warships around
the world during his six years in the U.S.
Navy and two in the Navy Reserve. His
first time at sea was at the start of the
Iraq war in 2003 on the USS John S.
McCain, where he worked as a sonar
technician, watching for underwater
threats and minefields.
“We had been in the Arabian Gulf for
about a week when we heard President
Bush’s address to the nation over the
ship’s intercom about the start of military
operations,” says Noel, a sophomore
accounting major in Cox School of
Business, with a minor in economics in
Dedman College. “It was two or three in
the morning, and the war became very
real then. We were all determined to focus
on our orders and meet our objectives.”
Kashima (right) and Necorian Jones After Baghdad was taken by U.S. forces
– and 98 straight days on the water –
discovering a passion Noel and his shipmates sailed back to
When Kashima Jones served in the Necorian also is earning a minor in their home port in Japan.
Navy from 2004 to 2008, she was education from the Annette Caldwell “In the military, you’re there for a
stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Simmons School of Education and purpose – not to earn a paycheck, but to
Lejeune in North Carolina. She won Human Development, and both Joneses serve your country,” he says.
numerous awards working as a dental say they hope to teach: Necorian would
technician, providing care to Marines as like to be a high school math teacher and “Students at
they deployed to and returned from Iraq football coach, while Kashima wants to
and Afghanistan.
“I am so grateful to people who are
teach high school biology and eventually
serve as a principal. She discovered her SMU, who
willing to go to war and make huge passion for the field this year while
sacrifices for all of us back home,” says
Jones, 25, who today is a junior biology
working with the Dallas college-
readiness program, Education Is
are working
major in Dedman College and a member Freedom.
of the Navy Reserve. “It was hard to see “I’ve been helping students at a Dallas toward their
some not make the trip back.” high school fill out financial aid forms
Jones’ husband, Necorian, 26, a Navy
veteran and active Reservist, is a junior
and college applications and get in the
mind-set for college,” she says. “I am a degrees and
mathematics major in Dedman College. first-generation college student, and I
The couple continues to serve one
weekend each month as dental
remember thinking I didn’t have the
tools to go to college. It feels great to
careers, also
are working
technicians at the Naval Air Station Joint help others get there.”
Reserve Base Fort Worth. Kashima also is working to form a
“Working with dentists helps with my student organization for SMU’s military
biology classes because they’ve all been
down the same road before me,” says
members. “It would offer camaraderie
and support,” she says. “It could bring
to further the
Kashima, who is from Miami. She and together all of us who can relate to life
her husband moved to his hometown of
Dallas in 2008 and began their college
in the military – veterans, reservists,
active-duty students, family members –
mission of this
country.”
studies at Mountain View College before and also anyone who’s interested in
transferring to SMU. learning more about the military.”
28 smu | magazine | 2011
“We are proud that after
serving our country, many are
choosing to continue their
education at SMU.”
– Provost Paul Ludden
finding the right fit at a distance
First Lieutenant Michael D. Gifford II, the Tager Satellite Network. Approximately
James Noel
29, works with lasers, high-power 25 percent of applicants for the fall 2011
“But all students at SMU, who are microwave systems and radiological term are classified as military students,
working toward their degrees and safety at Kirtland Air Force Base in including active-duty, veterans and
careers, also are working to further the Albuquerque, New Mexico. Gifford, who Department of Defense civilians. “Our
mission of this country. They’re learning earned his Bachelor’s degree from faculty often are impressed with the caliber
to be the leaders of tomorrow in every Purdue University and worked as an of experience that military students
field – business, government, medicine, engineer in Houston for several years, bring to the learning environment,” says
the arts.” decided to follow his dream of joining Abigail Smith, assistant director for
Noel, a Chicago native who always the Air Force in 2008. graduate military, distance and part-time
enjoyed visiting family in Texas, He was based in Wichita, Kansas, for on-campus education.
transferred to SMU in fall 2010 from his first two years in the Air Force. Military veterans and their families, as
Richland College in Dallas, where he “People in my field are experts in well as active-duty military, have long
discovered his passion for accounting. “I’m chemical, radiological and nuclear been important members of the SMU
enjoying my business classes at Cox and incidents. We’re responders in emergencies community, says Provost Paul Ludden.
the interaction with professors,” he says. – not first responders – but we go in and “They bring unique, global perspectives
“And I love the atmosphere at SMU, the assess signs and symptoms.” Now at to the classroom and campus. We are
school spirit, game days and Boulevarding. Kirtland, he works primarily on Air proud that after serving our country,
Even though I’m not a traditional college Force policy issues. many are choosing to continue their
student, I feel like one here. Everyone – So earning a Master’s degree in education at SMU.”
the professors, staff and students – has environmental engineering through the
been very welcoming.” distance-learning program at the Lyle
Noel serves as secretary of the National School of Engineering was a natural fit.
Association of Black Accountants at Cox, “The coursework goes hand in hand with
which hosts experts and offers professional my work as a bioenvironmental engineer,”
development and leadership training. He Gifford says. “The courses deal with
hopes to start an online retail business contaminates, the environment and
after earning his degree. regulations. Environmental engineering
His military experience taught him to gets you out on site, doing assessments
be prepared for anything, Noel adds. “If and making things better.”
anything, the Navy was a stepping-stone. Gifford also appreciates how receptive
Students who haven’t been in the the Lyle School is to military students. “I
military probably can’t relate, but if did a lot of searching to find the right
you’re just on time, you’re late, and if program that was fully accredited online
you’re early, you’re on time,” he says. “I and flexible. SMU was at the top of the
make sure I’m early to class and ready to list because it offered half-price tuition. I
get to work. was assigned temporary duty in Florida
“I do take class seriously. After visiting and was able to get my coursework and
underdeveloped countries and seeing submit it online.”
what people have to do to make a living, The Lyle School Distance Education
I’m grateful for everything I have.” Program began over 40 years ago with Michael D. Gifford II
2011 | spring/summer | smu 29
— mustang sports
Athletic Trainers Keep Students On Their Feet And In The Game
Whenever SMU coach Rhonda informed about an athlete’s injury.
Rompola ’83 pushes her women’s This job comes with long hours
basketball team to the brink of behind the scenes. Mike Morton,
giving up, she always says the same SMU’s director of sports medicine,
thing: “Just fight through it!” helped rehabilitate four football
Just fighting through it, however, players with ACL injuries last fall
becomes an entirely different while traveling with the team. In
challenge after an athlete suffers a addition, he juggled an active
serious injury. That is why athletic family life at home, helping his
trainer Kelli Clay, a seven-year wife, Michelle, care for their
veteran with the program, is such an newborn daughter, Violet,
important aspect to ensuring the 20-month-old son, Michael, and
team’s success. 6-year-old stepdaughter, Carys.
Clay has seen her share of cuts, From July to January, he took off
strains, breaks and tears, but she only three days.
experienced perhaps her greatest “During preseason practice,
challenge in the 2009-10 season. I worked 160 hours in two weeks,”
She helped one of the team’s top Morton says. “Even though it can
performers, Delisha Wills, recover Trainer Kelli Clay applies an ice pack to Delisha Wills’ knee. be tough to find that work-life
from a torn anterior cruciate liga- balance, I really enjoy my job
ment (ACL) in her left knee. Clay in the women’s basketball training because of the positive results that I see.”
Wills, an English major from Mesquite, room in Crum Basketball Center. “Some Clay works during holidays because
had been one of the team’s top scorers people just give up because they don’t she travels with the women’s basketball
since she arrived at SMU in 2006 as a want to do the rehab and they don’t want team, but she says the job’s rewards
freshman. But she suffered the torn to play the game anymore. But for me outweigh the sacrifices. She enjoys the
ligament as she hustled for a loose ball that wasn’t an option.” opportunity to help student-athletes stay
in a preseason practice in October 2009. “I wouldn’t have let you not come back,” on their feet – and in many cases get
The injury ended her hopes of seeing the Clay adds. back on their feet – so they can continue
court in what was supposed to be her Similar stories of rehabilitation, to pursue their dreams of playing
senior season. recovery and a return to dominance Division I basketball. In the meantime,
“I heard her scream, so I ran over to abound in other SMU sports as well. Clay has developed rewarding relation-
help her,” Clay says. “The hardest part These conquests are made possible by ships with players, perhaps none more
was seeing her lie there in so much pain, SMU’s staff of seven full-time athletic so than Wills.
but there was nothing I could do to take trainers. Every sport at SMU has its “Delisha and I have been through a
the pain away.” own athletic trainer, with football lot,” Clay says. “An ACL rehab is very
Wills had surgery in November of that having two. hard on you physically and mentally, and
year, and she and Clay spent every day These healing artists do much more I was honored to have walked down that
together in the training room until Wills than hand out water bottles and tape path with her.”
was cleared to play again six months ankles. They also work daily with Rompola also gained a new apprecia-
later. The 5-foot-10 forward redshirted injured players, tailoring individual tion for Wills’ toughness and her determi-
the 2009-10 season and returned this workouts to facilitate quicker and safer nation to end her career on the court
season, averaging 10.1 points per game recoveries. They drive players to doctors’ – not on the sidelines with an injury.
in 25 starts – making her the team’s appointments and surgeries and closely “The best way to compare Delisha’s
third leading scorer for the year. The monitor practices and games to make situation to one faced every day by our
Mustangs finished 14-16 overall and 7-9 sure athletes stay as safe as possible. team is that she had to fight through it,
in Conference USA games. They also communicate regularly with just like we have to fight through
“Not everybody comes back from an physicians, coaches, players and parents adversity on the court,” Rompola says.
ACL injury,” says Wills, as she sat next to to ensure that everyone remains – Chris Dell ’11
30 smu | magazine | 2011
— mustang sports
sports shorts
Celebrating 100 Years Of Mustangs Sports
2011 Mustang Football
As SMU celebrates the centennial of its founding in 1911 and
opening in 1915, the University also is marking 100 years of September 3 Texas A&M
September 10 UTEP
achievements in athletics through a recently released book, In
September 17 Northwestern State
Honor of the Mustangs: The Centennial History of SMU Athletics, (Family Weekend)
1911-2010. The first history of SMU athletics showcases September 24 Memphis
exploits on the gridiron as well as achievements in swimming, October 1 TCU
basketball, volleyball, track and field, cross country, tennis, October 15 UCF
baseball and equestrian competition. In Honor of the Mustangs, October 22 Southern Mississippi
published by the Lettermen’s Association and SMU’s DeGolyer October 29 Tulsa
November 5 Tulane (Homecoming)
Library, was written by SMU professor emeritus of communications and centennial
November 12 Navy
historian Darwin Payne ’68. Gerry York ’58, curator of SMU’s Heritage Hall
November 19 Houston
(www.athletichistory.com), selected the book’s 650 photographs. To obtain a copy, visit November 26 Rice
smu.edu/cul/degolyer. For more information, call Pam Anderson at 214-768-0829.
Copies also are sold at SMU Bookstore, 214-768-2435, and Culwell & Son, 214-522-7000. For tickets: call 214-768-4263.
Bouncing Into The CIT Hall Of Fame Beckons Luchi Gonzalez ’01 ranks third in the
men’s soccer program history with 128
The men’s basket- SMU’s Athletics Department and the
career points. The 2001 winner of the
ball team advanced Lettermen’s Association have inducted
Hermann Trophy, presented to the
to the semifinals of six new members into the Athletics Hall
nation’s top men’s soccer player, and
the CollegeInsider. of Fame. Following are the 2011 inductees
NCSAA First-Team All-American helped
com Tournament in and their achievements.
the Mustangs win regular season
March, where the Craig James ’82 is SMU’s third all-time
conference championships in each of his
Mustangs lost 72-55 leading rusher (3,743 yards). The three-
years at SMU.
to Santa Clara time All-SWC selection led the Mustangs
Tommy Bowers Sr. ’55 is the only
University at Moody to the Southwest Conference Champion-
baseball player in the program’s history
Coliseum. Robert ship during the 1981 and 1982 seasons.
Papa Dia to be named an All-American. He helped
Nyakundi led SMU He teamed with Eric Dickerson ’84 to
lead SMU to its only share of a league
with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The form the “Pony Express” backfield.
title by tying with Texas for the SWC
Mustangs spent most of the game James was drafted by the New England
title in 1953. He played professionally
without leading scorer (18.3 ppg) and Patriots and played with the team in the
with the Dallas Eagles and was honored
rebounder (9.6 rpg) Papa Dia, who 1985 Super Bowl.
as the Texas League Pitcher of the Year
suffered an ankle injury when he was Gene Phillips ’71 ranks second in
in 1957.
fouled on a layup with 8:18 left in the SMU men’s basketball history with 1,932
Alfred R. “Red” Barr ’71 served as the
first half. The Mustangs (20-15) finished career points. The three-time SWC Player
head coach for SMU swimming from 1947
with their first 20-win season since of the Year was selected by the Milwau-
to 1971, leading his teams to 17 SWC
1999-2000. Dia was selected the 2011 kee Bucks in the 1971 NBA draft and
Championships. SMU’s pool was named
Conference USA Defensive Player of the played with the ABA’s Dallas Chaparrals.
in honor of Barr, who coached 50
Year and a member of the C-USA Lisa Cole Zimmerman ’90 is SMU’s
All-American swimmers and divers.
All-Defensive Team. The senior forward all-time leading scorer for women’s
also was named All-Conference USA soccer with 101 goals and 44 assists. The
First-Team. In addition, Nyakundi was 1990 All-American led the team in goals
selected All-Conference USA Third-Team for four straight seasons (1987-90). See www.smumustangs.com
for more information.
and Collin Mangrum was named to the
Conference USA All-Academic Team.
2011 | spring/summer | smu 31
— alum news
Centennial Reunions: Creating Second-Century Traditions
Time-honored Homecoming traditions, Alumni celebrating their 50th year reunion each spring. This year 178 Golden
like the parade and football game, since graduation are invited for their own Mustangs and guests attended a luncheon
combined with engaging new events will special reunion during Commencement on Founders’ Day April 15 (see page 3).
create unforgettable alumni moments weekend, beginning with the Class of 1961 Reunions also provide a platform for
during SMU’s Second Century Celebration. May 13-14. supporting two Second Century Campaign
An important aspect of the 100-year- Alumni who graduated more than 50 goals: that 25 percent of alumni give each
anniversary festivities will be Centennial years ago are invited to a Golden Mustangs year and 50 percent of alumni give during
Reunions, a series of enhanced class the course of the campaign.
reunions held during Homecoming weekend “By growing the physical plant with
beginning this fall and continuing through beautiful new buildings and increasing the
2015. Undergraduate alumni from the endowment to support academic and
classes of 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, faculty excellence, the University is making
1991, 1996, 2001 and 2006 will be the first huge strides in its goals to enhance the
to gather for their once-in-a-lifetime SMU experience for our talented students,”
Centennial Reunions November 3-6. says Ann Frances Jury, co-chair of the
However, all alumni are encouraged to be Class of 1981 Centennial Reunion. “As
part of this historic SMU experience. alumni we all have the privilege of sharing
Reunion weekend special events and in the reflected glow of this truly
activities will include: outstanding University.”
• The Earl Stewart Lady Mustangs and
Reunion Invitational golf tournament the Claire Cunningham ’49 (left) and Nicki Nicol For more information, contact the
morning of Friday, November 4, to benefit Huber ’61 were among 178 alumni and guests SMU Office of Reunion Programs at
Lady Mustangs golf. who attended the Golden Mustangs luncheon on 214-768-9327 or 1-800-766-4371 or
• Guided walks and self-guided tours of the Founders’ Day April 15. e-mail reunionyear@smu.edu.
campus that highlight historic buildings
and new structures. In addition there will
be site tours of planned facilities, such as
the Residential Commons. mustang minis: a new twist on reunions
• Children’s activities, Boulevarding and
Saturday night parties. Some of the closest bonds between classmates develop during shared academic and
• New this year: mini-reunions for groups campus life experiences. That’s why the University’s Office of Reunion Programs has introduced
of alumni with common interests or Mustang Minis, a new avenue for reconnecting and reminiscing with SMU friends.
shared SMU experiences across class These small, alumni-driven gatherings will be organized by volunteers, and like class-year
years (see sidebar). reunions, they will take place during Homecoming each fall.
• SMU Day at the Museum of Nature and The ties that unite kindred Mustangs are numerous and varied. Here are some examples:
Science at Fair Park in Dallas Sunday, • Cheerleaders/Pom Squad • Campus publications groups
November 6, with discounted admission • SMU Abroad groups • Greek organizations
and other perks for SMU alumni and their • Student government groups • First-year floors in residence halls
families. • Minority or multicultural organizations • Athletic clubs and teams
Dozens of Dallas-area businesses will
While volunteer leaders will manage each event, the SMU Reunion Programs staff will
show their Mustang spirit as “Homecoming
support efforts by helping with some planning logistics, such as times and venue
Hot Spots.” These restaurants, shops and
selections; linking fellow alumni; and providing promotional resources, including online and
other venues will offer special discounts to
social media channels.
SMU alumni during Homecoming weekend.
To get started, alumni may download the online Mustang Minis toolkit by selecting the
As Reunion weekend approaches,
“Plan a Mini Reunion” link at smu.edu/alumni/reunion/mustangminis and contact the SMU
more details will be posted online at
Office of Reunion Programs at reunionyear@smu.edu or 214-768-9327.
smu.edu/reunion.
32 smu | magazine | 2011
— alum news
Alumni Volunteers Recruit Best And Brightest Future Mustangs
Stacy Simpkins ’88 grew up institution of higher learning.”
in Los Angeles and had never SeRVes reach out to pro-
heard of SMU until her high spective students as they
school counselor brought the prepare to make their college
University to her attention. As choices and continue to
a Student Recruitment Volunteer stay in touch with accepted
(SeRVe), Simpkins now shares students to encourage them to
her Hilltop experiences enroll at SMU. The inter-
with prospective Mustangs in action is satisfying on many
Southern California. levels, according to Judge
“Most of the students I Charles Montemayor ’88.
contacted were from high “My own experience
schools I was familiar with, at SMU was so formative
so I could relate to their and enriching that I feel a real
backgrounds and anticipate calling to share my enthusiasm
some of their questions,” As Student Recruitment Volunteers (SeRVe), alumni share their SMU
with prospective students
experiences with prospective students and their families. SeRVe efforts culminate
says Simpkins. “I know that and their families,” Montemayor
in send-off parties (above) held around the country for new SMU students.
traveling so far for college says. “The opportunity to
can be daunting, so they’re support SMU, which offers so
relieved when I can tell them from my own SMU more ‘real’ to that family.” much beyond outstanding academics, and
experience that SMU goes to great lengths The SeRVe program harnesses alumni to help a young person with an important
to make you feel at home.” power to forge links with promising high decision is truly rewarding.”
The Office of Alumni Relations, in school students around the country. The Alumni also contribute by attending
partnership with the Division of Enrollment personal touch is particularly effective college fairs and recruitment events. Spring
Services, coordinates the SeRVe program. in regions where SMU is beginning to build receptions were held in 13 cities around the
“Alumni are critical in the admission momentum. country – including Atlanta, Philadelphia,
process,” says Stephanie Dupaul ’04, “The program has given me the St. Louis and San Diego – for college-bound
interim dean of Undergraduate Admission opportunity to help recruit the best and students and their parents.
who will become SMU’s associate vice brightest students in Kentucky and
president for Enrollment Management southern Indiana, where SMU is not well For more information about SeRVe and
June 1 (see page 6). “They are the voice of known,” says Doyle Glass ’84. “Not only other alumni volunteer opportunities,
SMU in their communities. Every interaction have I reconnected with my alma mater in visit smu.edu/alumni/involved, e-mail
alumni have with a student, or with a a meaningful way, but I also hope that involved@smu.edu or call 214-768-ALUM
parent of a prospective student, helps make I am helping to make it an even better (2586) or 1-888-327-3755.
Alumni Board chair:
Bill Vanderstraaten ’82
Luisa del Rosal ’08
Larry Delzell ’72
JoAnne Moore ’80
Michaux Nash Jr. ’56
Nominations for the SMU Alumni Marcus Duron ’85 Kelli Nesseth ’88
past chair:
Board will be accepted through Lance Etcheverry ’90 Debbie Oates ’78
Ken Malcolmson ’74
December 31. Alumni may nominate Harriet Holleman ’63 Stephanie Pinkston ’81
fellow alumni or themselves. For members: Rob Johnson ’97 Mark Plunkett ’96
more information, call the Office of Brad Adams ’93 Fredricka Johnson ’08 Rick Powell ’89
Alumni Relations at 214-SMU-ALUM Craig Adams ’88 Thomas Kincaid ’05 Anga Sanders ’70, ’77
(2586) or 1-888-327-3755, e-mail Paul Adams ’52 Steve Lindley ’74 David Schmidt ’79
smualum@smu.edu or visit smu.edu/ Chris Ainsworth ’94 Bob Massad ’68 Debbie Sirchio ’70
alumni/involved. Shonn Brown ’95, ’98 Susie McCormack ’77 Steve Swanson ’74
Erin Johnson Cianciolo ’96 Leslie Melson ’77 2011 | spring/summer | smu 33
Marli Craig ’92 Bobby Mills ’57
— class notes
what’s new with you? and coached. After completing law school,
he was county attorney and then opened a
New marriage? New baby? New job? Share your news in SMU Magazine by filling out the private practice, from which he is retired.
online form at smu.edu/smumagazine/classnotes or emailing information to smumag@smu.edu. Lowell (Stretch) Smith Jr. was honored
Or use the “What’s New with You” card in this magazine (please print legibly). Class Notes last fall by the National Multicultural
received after March 18, 2011, will appear in the fall/winter 2011 printed issue of SMU Magazine. Western Heritage Museum in Fort Worth
as a 2010 inductee into the Cowboy Hall of
Fame. He raises cattle and is the fourth
43 49 family member to operate the Smith
Ranch, founded in 1887 by his great-grand-
Wesley N. Schulze was a United Methodist Maurice D. Bratt recalls working his way
father. He also is a well-known banker and
minister for 43 years and recently retired through SMU holding down a six-day-a-
served as president of the First State Bank
as chaplain general of the Sons of the week job at the original Neiman Marcus
in Rio Vista. His “Cow Pasture Bank” was
Republic of Texas, which honored him as a store in downtown Dallas. Blanche Webster
the largest bank in the area when it was
Knight of San Jacinto. He celebrated his Coker moved from Pittsburg, TX, to Dallas in
bought by Wells Fargo in 1999.
90th birthday May 15, 2010, and his 67th 2008 after the death of her husband, Bill
wedding anniversary with his wife, Ann, Coker ’49. Kenneth R. (Ken) Steele (M.B.A.
last September 1. ’62) fondly remembers his Pi Kappa Alpha 55
and dorm “X” friends at SMU.
H.A. (Pat) Baker Jr. visited Egypt last
46 November, where he saw the pyramids in
Mary Cecelia Whitehead Ackerschott, as a
52 Giza and the tombs in the Valley of the
Kings and Queens and enjoyed a cruise on
member of the national American Needle- Caroleen Turner has been married to Homer
the Nile River.
point Guild, entered one of her creations L. Thornton Jr. for 58 years, and they enjoy
and won first place, judges’ favorite and life in Paris, TX. She has 13 grandchildren
best in show. She donated a collection of and three great-grandchildren. 56
original art pieces to SMU’s Taos Cultural
Roger William Blackmar Jr. is in his 54th
Institute.
53 year as a financial advisor and is one of five
remaining active brokers licensed in 1957
Howard A. (Tony) Bridge Jr. owns and oper-
48 ates six AM/FM radio stations in Longview
by the New York Stock Exchange. He and his
wife, Joan, have been married 53 years.
Charles Roberson retired in the mid-1980s and Marshall (TX) and Shreveport. He was
from an accounting career. Now a resident inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame
at the C.C. Young retirement community, Nov. 14, 2010. 58
he is visited daily by LaVelle, his wife of
Luca Cacioli was promoted to worldwide
60 years.
54 marketing manager for audio and imaging
products for Texas Instruments. The Rev. Dr.
Hugh Higgins (J.D. ’67) was named to the
John Thomas (Tom) Graves was ordained in
Ex-Students Association Wall of Fame at
1956 and is now retired after 55 years of
Cleburne (TX) High School, where he taught
ministry. He has authored five books,
34 smu | magazine | 2011
— class notes
Marsh Terry’s Eventful Day ‘High On The Hilltop’
Professor Emeritus Marsh Terry ’53, ’54, known affectionately as “Mr. SMU,” received the Dedman
College Distinguished Graduate Award March 23 for his contributions to literature and the University.
Terry’s career spans more than five decades as the E.A. Lilly Professor of English and architect of
SMU’s creative writing program. He also served his alma mater as director of public relations and
assistant to SMU President Willis Tate (1954-1972, 1974-1976). As an administrator in 1963, he wrote
the first SMU Master Plan – the basis for today’s Strategic Plan. In addition he helped to initiate the
long-running Literary Festival. Known as a friend and mentor by many Texas writers, he helped
launch the careers of novelists Joe Coomer, Douglas Terry, Tracy Daugherty and Lewis Shiner,
among others. Terry’s work has received awards from the Texas Institute of Letters and PEN Texas.
His histories of SMU, From High on the Hilltop: A Brief History of SMU and its third edition, Marshall
Terry’s History of SMU with Various Essays by His Colleagues, are significant resources as SMU
celebrates the centennial of its 1911 founding and 1915 opening.
winning awards with several, and is writing School Alumni Hall of Fame last October,
a sixth. He is a sailor and chaplain of the recognized for her work on educational,
65
sailing fleet at Lake Texoma. Recently he political and environmental issues in Geor- William H. (Bill) Lively, noted fundraiser,
was awarded Texas United Methodism’s gia, Mississippi and the nation. Geri Sue will be the next president and CEO of the
highest honor, the Medallion of Merit, by the Hudson Morgan is doing well nine years Dallas Symphony Association, a three-year
Texas Methodist Foundation. He lives in after a kidney transplant. appointment. He begins part-time in April,
Lamar County, TX. as his duties wind down as president and
63 CEO of the North Texas Super Bowl XLV
61 The Rev. Karl Brown has joined the faculty
300-person Host Committee. He takes over
full-time at the Dallas Symphony in June.
Kathy Vernon Clark was surrounded by SMU of The Wisdom School at St. Mark’s Episco-
graduates in her family — father, a minister pal Church in San Marcos, TX. He was
and journalist; mother, a teacher; and director of the Campus Christian Commu-
66
brother, an attorney. Their example of ser- nity at Texas State University for more than Reunion Chairs: Lou Fouts, Norma Friou
vice inspired her to earn a Ph.D. and 30 years. Sandra Hartman Wilkinson ’71 and Fouts, Jack C. Myers, Carol Paris Seay
become a special education teacher and husband Ronald L. Wilkinson ’64, ’66 live in The Rev. Dr. James E. Dunlap was honorably
professor. Ivor Noreen (Nicki) Huber has Waxahachie, TX. Sandra serves as chair of retired by the Chicago Presbytery of the
retired after a long career that included their neighborhood association. Ronald was Presbyterian Church U.S.A. after serving 14
becoming the first female consultant hired mayor of Waxahachie for two terms and years as coordinator of spiritual services at
by Booz Allen & Hamilton NYC and running maintains an active law practice. Their son, Saint Francis Hospital, Evanston, IL. He is a
her family business, Nicol Scales, for 23 Robert, is an SMU law student and his wife, board certified chaplain of the Association
years. She and her husband, Paul, live in Melinda, is working toward a Master’s of Professional Chaplains. E. Stanly Godbold
Naples, FL. They have three grandchildren, degree at Simmons School of Education and Jr. has published a book, Jimmy and Rosa-
two of whom live in Seoul, South Korea. Human Development. lynn Carter: The Georgia Years, 1924-1974
Nicki serves on the SMU Libraries Execu- (Oxford University Press). His stepdaughter,
tive Board.
64 Heidi Gluesing, is a 1998 SMU graduate.
62 Michael M. Boone (J.D. ’67) was named
by the Texas Lawyer newspaper one of the 67
Rondal G. Crawford worked in structural 25 greatest Texas lawyers of the past Jerry L. Griffin retired in January as man-
design at NASA, 1960-1984; marketing at quarter-century. He was honored for his aging partner of Sewell Lexus in Dallas
Ford Aerospace, 1984-1990; and marketing outstanding contributions at a luncheon after 40 years with the organization — eight
at SAIC, 1990-2000, when he retired. He has at the Belo Mansion and Pavilion in Dallas with Lexus and 32 with Sewell Cadillac. His
four children, six grandchildren and one last October 1. boss throughout has been Carl Sewell ’66,
great-grandchild. Dr. Linda Hawkins Kay chair of the Sewell Automotive Companies
was inducted into the Jacksboro (MS) High
2011 | spring/summer | smu 35
— class notes
where she teaches, as well as an outstanding
69 teacher award from BP Oil.
Charles R. (Rocky) Saxbe was selected by his
peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in
America 2011. He is managing partner at
74
Chester Willcox & Saxbe LLP, where he rep- Joe Pouncy (M.L.A. ’82) was named Educator
resents clients in all aspects of civil of the Year for 2010 by Christ Community
litigation in state and federal courts. Connection Organization of Carrollton
and Farmers Branch, TX. He is principal of
71 Carrollton’s Newman Smith High School.
Reunion Chairs: Katherine Glaze Lyle,
Cliff Towns
75
Cynthia Day Grimes has joined law firm
Suzanne Goodrich Greene was named 2010
Strasburger & Price LLP in the San Antonio
Texas Art Education Association Educator of
Lettermen Present the Year. She lives in Houston and teaches
office, representing commercial entities in
medical products, medical litigation and
Mustang Award middle school art in the Spring Branch
School District. Susan Johnson Parks has
personal injury. She was previously at Ball
To Albon Head worked for 23 years as an educational spe-
& Weed LLP, where she was a founding
partner. Deborah Nadler Straubinger
SMU Director of Athletics Steve Orsini (left) cialist for the Maine Department of
recently earned her Master’s degree in mar-
presents the 2010 Silver Anniversary Education. She founded The Poets’ Group,
keting from Webster University in Orlando,
Mustang Award to former defensive back which recently published its second poetry
FL. Sol Villasana has a new book, Dallas’s
Albon Head ’69, ’71. Head received the most chapbook, Pondtown Poetry II. Martha Bible
Little Mexico (Arcadia Publishing, April
prestigious honor bestowed by the SMU Smith, a book reviewer, has published two
2011), a photographic history of that
Lettermen’s Association January 22. A books of poetry: Yet in 2008 and So in 2010.
neighborhood.
partner in Jackson Walker’s Fort Worth law She is retired after 31 years as a teacher
office, Head lettered in football at SMU from and 15 years as an entrepreneur. Janita
1966-68, played defensive back on the 1966 Monghan Thomas and her husband, D. Lee 76
SWC championship team and was a Thomas ’74, vacationed in Kauai last August
Reunion Chairs: Roy W. Bailey,
co-captain on the 1968 Bluebonnet Bowl with Dr. Carole Terry ’71 and her husband,
Betsy Lane Morton
championship team, which defeated Dr. Alan Fine, both couples celebrating their
anniversaries. Janita and Carole, four-year Arden Bennett serves as chief executive
Oklahoma 28-27. Head has served as chair
roommates at SMU, have remained friends officer and director general of CIMA Hospi-
of the SMU Alumni Association, the PwC
for 40 years despite thousands of miles tal in San José, Costa Rica, part of the
SMU Athletic Forum and the Doak Walker
between them. International Hospital Corp., which also
Award. He is a member of the executive
operates hospitals in Mexico and Brazil.
boards of SMU Dedman School of Law and
Mary A. Bonnick volunteered at the NFL
SMU-in-Taos. In 2003 he received an SMU 72 Experience at the Dallas Convention Center
Dedman School of Law Distinguished
Alumni Award. Paul Alfassa operates the general law prac- during Super Bowl week in February help-
tice of his late father and serves as docent ing participants test their football-throwing
at the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie. skills in the “let it fly” game. David (Dave)
Ray Thomas Johnston is an adjunct faculty Dillon is chair and chief executive of Kroger,
and former chair of the SMU Board of member in the graduate school of social known for a management style that involves
Trustees. work at Stephen F. Austin State University an up-close-and-personal study of Kroger
in Nacogdoches, TX, and operates a full-time stores and their consumers and employees.
68 private counseling practice. Barbara D. Nunneley heads the Nunneley
Family Law Center in Hurst, TX, limiting her
Henry V. Heuser Jr. was elected chair of the practice to divorce, property division and
Board of Overseers at the University of
73 custody disputes. Gerald S. Reamey (LL.M.
Louisville (KY) and president of the Louisville Linda Kretzmeier Parker (M.M. ’75) received ’82), professor of law at St. Mary’s Univer-
Rotary Club. the John Batchellor Award for excellence in sity in San Antonio, was awarded the
music education in the state of New Mexico, Culture Medal of Honor from the City of
36 smu | magazine | 2011
— class notes
Innsbruck (Austria) at a dinner last summer
hosted by the City of Innsbruck and the
77 79
State of Tyrol. He and a colleague founded Scott Inman is a senior program manager Jennifer Bishop Jenkins of Northfield, IL,
the St. Mary’s University School of Law’s for military display systems at Planar Sys- was selected for the Illinois Women’s Insti-
Institute on World Legal Problems, an tems Inc. in Beaverton, OR. His daughter, tute for Leadership in 2010. Alyce Tidball
annual five-week summer session in Aus- Rochelle, is a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. completed a one-year assignment to the U.S.
tria attended by up to 130 students from law Air Force. Randy Nickell has published Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, and now
schools around the nation. The program online the “Civil War Journal” of his great- serves as director for the Office of Interna-
had a successful end to its 25th year. great-grandfather, Andrew Jackson tional Narcotics and Law Enforcement at
Andrew Weber has joined law firm Kelly Nickell. Read history at www.angelfire. the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem.
Hart & Hallman as a partner in the Austin com/il/thecivilwarjournal.
office, heading the public law practice
80
group. Prior to his new position, he was first
assistant attorney general at the Texas
78 Timothy R. Gordon is a 2010 graduate of
Attorney General’s office. Dick and Susan Garbett Kendrick announce the New Canaan (CT) Police Civilian Acad-
the arrival of their first grandson, Cole Evans emy. John C. Hollar is president of the
Estrada, born Dec. 13, 2010. 100,000-item Computer History Museum
in Mountain View, CA, which opened in
Race to the Finish!
Be a part of the Horsepower Challenge.
It’s the centennial of SMU’s founding, and victory is within our reach. Here’s your challenge:
Help us reach the finish line with record results in annual alumni participation. Charge out of
the starting gate and make a gift by May 31, 2011.
Make a gift to SMU at smu.edu/horsepower or call 1-800-768-9996.
2011 | spring/summer | smu 37
— class notes
January 2011 with the exhibition “Revolu- January 2 as a top motivational speaker. driving, terrain park safety, ski patrol
tion: The First 2000 Years of Computing.” Lillie Young chaired the “Soup’s On” luncheon advice and ski risks and the law. He was
Hollar estimates that the museum has for the Stewpot Alliance at Dallas’ Union vice president of the Northwest Ski Council
raised $90 million from 65 private donors, Station Jan. 25, 2011. She is senior vice in 2009-2010. He enjoys downhill, back-
including a $15 million lead gift from the president of investments with Allie Beth country and cross country skiing on and
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He is Allman & Associates and is a consistent around Mount Hood in Oregon. Tara Elias
married to the former Melinda Williams ’82. multi-million-dollar producer for the real Schuchts recently attended the reunion
Sandra J. Jones works for the U.S. govern- estate firm. of the SMU Class of ’85. Salvatore Vitale is
ment in microbiology labs. working to develop and enlarge his law
84 firm, Vitale & Partners, which has several
81 Ray Washburne is co-owner, general part-
offices in Europe and the United States. He
and his wife, Liana, are parents of Giulia, 2,
Reunion Chairs: Chip Cavanaugh, ner and president of Highland Park Village and Diana, born Jan. 27, 2011. Trish Neal
Ann Frances Paris Jury, Allen Smith, near SMU. Wilson is a photo stylist and works with
Jane Cornish Smith photographers at four- and five-star hotels
Msgr. Tony Jack Howard (M.L.A. ’98) recently 85 and resorts. She also is an independent
published A Month of Sundays: Occasional executive for Zrii/HMG, selling all-natural
Linda Beheler has responsibility for global liquid nutritionals.
Sermons of a Liberal Catholic Priest (St.
corporate communications at Celanese.
Alban Press). He and his wife, Victoria, are
Susan Dean Hammock owns The College
expecting their second child in May.
Application Coach, a service that helps stu-
86
dents and their families navigate the path to Reunion Chairs: Elizabeth Baier
82 college acceptances. She lives in Orlando, Emerson, Bill Koch
Lisa Johnson co-directed/produced His Name FL., with her three children: Phillip, 20;
Sharon Killion has moved back to Dallas
is Bob (www.hisnameisbob.com), a docu- Kelsey, 18; and Bennett, 16. John Klintworth
after living in South Africa for six years.
mentary screened at film festivals in Texas, married Birgit von Wuerzen in Toronto,
She had a successful career in real estate
New Jersey, Utah and California. Distribu- Canada, Oct. 30, 2010. Richard Rizk is the
there, selling more than 55 condos on the
tion is being sought for the film. Laura Far West Ski Association’s 2010 Safety
Indian Ocean in less than 10 months after
Ochoa Morales appeared on the cover of the Person of the Year for developing a winter
arriving. Donna J. Smiedt is a family law
Houston Chronicle’s business section safety speaker awareness series on winter
specialist in the Donna J. Smiedt Law Office
in Arlington, TX. In 2000 she was sworn in
by Chief Justice Rehnquist to practice
Honoring A First Lady Of Literacy before the United States Supreme Court.
Patrick D. West heads the Patrick D. West
Former First Lady Laura Bush ’68 Law Firm PC in Fort Worth.
received the 2011 Literati Award from
Friends of the SMU Libraries for her
contributions to the advancement of
87
literacy. The award was presented David Poynter is senior manager of current
during the Friends’ annual Tables programming at TNT cable network in Bur-
of Content fundraiser April 2. bank, CA. He oversees several original
The highlight of the evening was a television series, including “The Closer,”
conversation with Mrs. Bush led by “Men of a Certain Age” and “Falling Skies.”
award-winning journalist Rena He is married to Laura Mulrenan, who has
Pederson (right). A member of the a Pilates studio in Hollywood. Their daugh-
SMU Board of Trustees, Mrs. Bush has ter, Anabelle, was born in 2006. Ray
championed the importance of Starmann has co-written a new web TV
literacy and education throughout her series, “The Gumshoe.”
life, particularly during her years as a
teacher, librarian and first lady of
Texas and the United States.
38 smu | magazine | 2011
— alum profile
88 changing attitudes,
Amy Bishop has been named deputy direc- one conversation at a time
tor of the Texas County & District
Retirement System. More than 600 county Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño ’79 accepted the Distinguished Alumna Award from
and district employers participate in the Perkins School of Theology February 7 with a confession. She was one of the pranksters respon-
system, which provides benefits to 215,000 sible for placing a jack-o’-lantern in the Perkins Chapel steeple on Halloween Day, 1975. The
Texans. Michael E. Kirst is vice president for dean at that time “was not so pleased,” she recalled
strategy and external affairs at Westing-
with a smile.
house Nuclear for Europe, Africa and the
While the audience in Dallas enjoyed the humor-
Middle East. He lives in Brussels, Belgium,
with his wife and two daughters. Tim J. ous anecdote in her videotaped address, the bishop
Smith has published Pricing Strategy: Setting was 8,000 miles away in the Democratic Republic
Price Levels, Managing Price Discounts, & of the Congo. Carcaño was working with Methodist
Establishing Price Structures, a text on leaders from around the world on organizational
corporate strategy. Leigh Anne Williams Van
issues regarding the church outside the United
Doren received the Entrepreneur of the
States, known as the Central Conferences.
Year Award from the Fredericksburg (VA)
Chamber of Commerce for creating the Carcaño, who became the first Hispanic woman
Fredericksburg Parent and Family Magazine. elected to the episcopacy in 2004, also acts as the
She and her husband, Tom, have two daugh- official spokesperson for the Council of Bishops on
ters: Tabitha, 13, and Jamie Nelle, 9. immigration. The council supports “a pathway to
citizenship,” fair treatment of immigrant workers
89 and the preservation of family unity.
Mary Lynn Huckleberry Carver is senior vice Immigration policy is an especially volatile
Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño ’79
president of communications and public topic in Arizona, where she serves the Phoenix
affairs at the University of Maryland Medi- Episcopal Area, Desert Southwest Conference, which encompasses most of the state. Some
cal Center and its parent organization, the blame heated political rhetoric for the shootings in Tucson January 8 that stunned the nation.
12-hospital University of Maryland Medical
Six people were fatally wounded and 14 others were injured, including U.S. Representative
System. She relocated with her family to
Gabrielle Giffords. The tragedy spurred “much more conversation about what it means to have
Baltimore from Memphis, where she was
senior vice president of public relations and civil discourse,” she says. “I’m seeing a change in attitude, a realization that the negative tenor
communications for St. Jude Children’s of conversation had been unhelpful and unhealthy.”
Research Hospital. Angél Wonycott Kytle The calm, soft-spoken bishop, who grew up in the South Texas city of Edinburg, has never
has headed Saint Paul’s School in Clearwa- retreated from controversy. She led her first congregations in the 1980s – when female ministers
ter, FL, for the last three years and has been
were rare and some church members were vocal in their distaste for a woman in the pulpit.
elected to the Board of Directors of the Flor-
“Early on, I was struggling with a particular parish relations committee. One member told me
ida Council of Independent Schools.
Previously she was a division director at that her husband had been robbed of a spiritual leader because I was a woman, and he would
Trinity School in Atlanta. Her sons are never seek my counsel,” she remembers. “A few months later, her husband came to me to ask for
Blake, 8, and Dustin, 3. N. Mark Rauls has spiritual guidance. That was a turning point.”
been a professor of philosophy at the Col- Carcaño credits God with giving her strength and Perkins with providing “the gift of faith
lege of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas since expression.”
1997. In 2010 he was appointed the college’s
“I had a calling to serve the Mexican-American community, and Perkins was the only
first ombudsperson. Thomas B. Walsh IV is a
United Methodist seminary at the time that prepared students for ministry in the Hispanic
Dallas intellectual property and commercial
litigation attorney at the law firm Fish & context through its Mexican-American Program,” she says. She served as director of the
Richardson. In 2010 he earned a fourth con- program from 1996-2001.
secutive selection to the Texas Super “If ever I have provided any light for a world often consumed in darkness, Perkins has been
Lawyers list featured in the October 2010 there with me.”
Texas Monthly and Texas Super Lawyers
– Patricia Ward
2011 | spring/summer | smu 39
— class notes
magazines. He has been named a Best
Lawyer in D magazine for three consecutive
in the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts
and Sciences at Arizona State University.
93
years and twice a Texas Super Lawyers She was named an exemplar, a faculty Jamie Hensley Arnold earned a Ph.D. in edu-
“Rising Star.” member who exemplifies the best of the cational psychology from The University of
teacher-scholar model of academia. Texas at Austin and has accepted a tenure-
track position at Temple College. Her
90
David A. Dreyer (M.F.A. ’92) has had solo
92 husband, Doug, is a judge. They live in
Georgetown with their two children, Drew
exhibitions at The McKinney Avenue Con- Alison Bailey Vercruysse is the founder of and Dan. Kay Longacre Bernzweig is a Mas-
temporary in Dallas and The Grace Museum San Francisco’s 18 Rabbits, an organic gra- ter’s degree candidate in the instructional
in Abilene. He is currently adjunct instruc- nola company. Before finding her passion in technology program at the University of
tor, technical supervisor and safety baked goods, she worked at the Federal Houston – Clear Lake. Jennifer (JJ) Jones
coordinator for the Division of Art at SMU. Reserve Bank of Chicago. She has hosted (M.L.A. ’99) is the executive director for stu-
His third solo exhibition at the Valley House eight cooking segments of ABC’s “View from dent development and programs in the
Gallery, “Transitional Planes,” ran February the Bay” and is profiled in the 2010 book Division of Student Affairs at SMU. She
12 through March 12. Growing Roots: The New Generation of accepted an invitation to visit the White
Sustainable Farmers, Cooks and Food Activ- House last December. Jin Kim is a senior
91 ists by Katherine Leiner. Monica Mullens
Warren and her husband, Chris, announce
manager and general counsel of the legal
team at Korea National Oil Corporation. He
Reunion Chairs: To be announced the birth of twins Charlotte Janice and John joined the company in 2005 and has been
Pamela Ann Marshall, Ph.D., was recently Patrick in San Francisco Oct. 7, 2010. the lead in-house counsel in multi-billion-
tenured and promoted to associate professor dollar acquisitions. Father Anthony
Frederick (Tony) Lackland is the chaplain to
approximately 2,500 Catholic students at
SMU, offering them educational programs,
ministry opportunities and spiritual sup-
port. Brian Waddle and his partner, Kevin
Hamby, held a commitment ceremony in
Houston Nov. 27, 2010, followed by a trip to
Hawaii. Among those in attendance were
Wade McAlister ’89, Christy Albano ’93,
Mark Dempsey ’94, Kellie Prinz Johnson ’95
and Tricia Letton Clark ’95, ’04. Brian is
public relations director for Houston Com-
munity College John B. Coleman, M.D.
College for Health Sciences in the Texas
Medical Center. Sean Whitley wrote “The
Spawn of the Sasquatch” for Viper Comics’
upcoming Cryptophobia anthology.
Dedman School of Law Recognizes
Contributions By Distinguished Alumni 94
A justice of the Supreme Court of Thailand and a philanthropic entrepreneur were among George Edward Seay III was co-chair with
those honored at the SMU Dedman School of Law Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony his wife, Sarah, of the Council for Life’s
February 19. Alumni present at the event and their awards were: seated, from left, Donald J. 2010 Celebrating Life Luncheon Nov. 9, 2010,
Malouf ’62, private practice; Barbara J. Houser ’78, judicial service; Philip J. Wise ’81, public at Dallas’ Hilton Anatole Hotel.
service; Jack D. Knox ’63, Robert G. Storey Award for Distinguished Achievement (highest
honor bestowed); and Marshall P. Cloyd, honorary alumnus, who earned a Bachelor’s degree
in civil engineering from SMU in 1964. SMU President R. Gerald Turner, awards committee 95
members Dawn Enoch Moore ’78, ’81 and Albon Head ’69, ’71 and Dean John B. Attanasio Missy Morrison Gulick and John A. Gulick
were among those honoring the alumni. Award winners Sobchok Sukharomna ’81, global, III ’81 live in Scottsdale, AZ, where she
and Richard Wright-Hogeland ’57, ’58 , corporate service, were unable to attend. is a vice president for DMB Associates Inc.
She received the Sandra Day O’Connor
40 smu | magazine | 2011
— class notes
elect. She is an engineering manager at L-3 (Mindy) Sutton married John Lund Dec. 31,
Insight Technology and lives in Bedford, NH. 2010, in Austin, where they live. She is
deputy to the dean of students at The Uni-
96 versity of Texas at Austin and is pursuing a
Ph.D. in higher education administration.
Reunion Chairs: John Anderson, Melissa McCullough Ulrich announces the
Susan Porter Glassmoyer birth of her son, Mason Curtis, Nov. 25,
Iva Linda Baird is a bilingual diagnostician 2009. Suzanne Campbell Wellen is a 10-year
for the Dallas Independent School District. business litigation attorney in the Dallas
Jason David Blakey has started his own office of Andrews Kurth LLP and a 2010
business, LifestyleONE Agency, to provide Texas “Rising Star” in the April issue of
lifestyle management services to individual Texas Monthly magazine; she also received
and corporate clients. Christopher Dupuy this honor in 2007 and 2009. She married
was elected a county court judge in Galves- Darrell Wellen in August 2009 in Indianapo-
ton County, TX. Suzy Rossol Matheson lis. Todd Martin serves as vice president and
Lighting The Way received the Exceptional Service Award associate general counsel for CoreLogic, Inc.
In Public Education from the American Dance Therapy Associa-
When Israel Cordero ’97 became principal
tion. President of the Texas chapter since 98
2006, she was given an Arts Respond Grant
of W.W. Samuell High School in 2008, from the Texas Commission on the Arts to Mark R. Allen and his wife, Lauren, wel-
the southeast Dallas school was at risk fund and manage adaptive dance programs comed daughter Rainey Elizabeth last New
of being closed after four years of based on her revitalization of the chapter. Year’s Eve. Stella Mulberry Antic success-
unacceptable ratings. In one year under Natalie Rule married Matthew Burns in her fully defended her doctoral dissertation to
Cordero’s leadership, the school earned an complete her Ph.D. in higher education at
home state of Oklahoma last August. They
“acceptable” rating from the state. Cordero the University of North Texas in April 2010.
reside in St. Paul, MN. Michael F. Trusnovec
was the North Texas recipient of the In November she married Daniel Antic at
is a member of the acclaimed Paul Taylor
Luminary Award presented by the Annette Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Plano,
Dance Company and has received rave
Caldwell Simmons School of Education and TX. Carlos Carpizo joined Link America, one
reviews in The New York Times and else-
Human Development January 27. The of the fastest growing privately held compa-
where. He was among the group that danced
Luminary Awards honor “extraordinary nies in the Dallas area and 2010 Dallas 100
at the White House Sept. 7, 2010, in an event
commitment to improving lives through Awards™ winner, as president of its inter-
hosted by Michelle Obama.
education.” Other recipients were Teach for national division. Michael J. Cihock has
America (national award) and Neuhaus been promoted to partner at the law firm
Education Center (regional award). 97 McLean & Howard LLP in Austin. In 2010 he
Emily Watkins Freudigman’s recording with was recognized as a “Rising Star” in real
Camerata San Antonio, “Salón Buenos Aires: estate law by Texas Monthly magazine. Tim
Music by Miguel del Águila,” was nominated W. Jackson has published Mangrove Under-
Community Leadership Award from the
for two Latin Grammys: best classical album ground, his debut literary novel set in the
Junior League of Phoenix and the Frank
and best classical contemporary composi- Florida backcountry (The Chenault Publish-
Hodges Alumni Achievement Award from
tion. In 2003 she and her husband, Ken, ing Group, December 2010). He is a former
Scottsdale Leadership. She is on the board
founded Camerata San Antonio, a chamber staff photographer with the Citrus County
of the Arizona Humane Society and the
ensemble presenting imaginative music in Chronicle and Tampa Tribune, which ran his
Phoenix Women’s Board of the Steele Chil-
South Texas. Amanda Holland Janicek and nonfiction travel writing about the Florida
dren’s Research Center at the University of
her husband, Matt, welcomed a son, Hayden wilderness. He is finishing a second novel,
Arizona. Melinda Marie Maxfield has been
Holland, July 31, 2010. Heather McCowen set in the Caribbean, and a collection of
named principal of Williams & Jensen PLLC
defended her dissertation – Mentorship in island-based short stories. He lives in the
in Washington, DC. She joined the lobbying
Higher Education Music Study: Are Good Cayman Islands, where he is a boat captain
firm as an associate in 2007 and has focused
Teachers Mentors? – and earned a Ph.D. in and scuba instructor. Regan Stewart Schies-
on a public policy portfolio. Nita Patel, P.E.,
higher education from the University of tel and husband Adam announce the birth
was honored February 17 as the 2011 New
North Texas in August 2010. She is assistant of their twin daughters, Luca and Larkin, in
Hampshire Engineer of the Year by the NH
dean of enrollment for the performing arts August 2010. John Stone is a U.S. Army
Joint Engineering Societies and selected a
at Roosevelt University in Chicago. Melinda major serving in Baghdad, Iraq. He and his
candidate for 2012 IEEE-USA president
2011 | spring/summer | smu 41
— alum profile
mapping the genetics of autism wife, Mandi, have three daughters – 7, 5 and
4 – a son, 2, and a baby son born in January.
When Ed Cook’s brother, Wade, died in 1989 of natural causes, there was no diagnosis for They are stationed in Germany.
the developmental and emotional problems that had always plagued him. Cook ’77, the Earl
M. Bane Professor of Psychiatry and director of the Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders 99
at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago, believes that by today’s standards, Dr. Patricia (Pat) Pefley works for the
his brother would be considered to have autism. Defense Intelligence Agency in the Depart-
Cook remembers that Wade, who was six years his junior, would become extremely upset ment of Defense in Washington, DC. Hon.
when his or the family’s routine was disrupted – an attribute now identified as common to autism Gena Slaughter is presiding judge of the
191st Civil District Court in Dallas. Jennifer
spectrum disorder.
Smith married Aaron Lill at Prestonwood
A desire to help people
Baptist Church January 22. They live in
like Wade and their Plano, TX.
families has inspired
Cook during his 25-year
00
medical career as one of
Ashley Lehman Cook formed the law firm
the nation’s leading
Ashley L. Cook PC. Josh Helland conceived
researchers focusing on
and executed the first “bed drop” in Los
the neurochemistry of Angeles Dec. 7, 2010, the kickoff project for
autism. He is trying to the AGNS Foundation (A Good Night Sleep),
pinpoint possible genetic as he and volunteers delivered 79 beds and
links to the neural devel- bedding sets to the Downtown Women’s
Center. In addition, the AGNS team took six
opment disorder, as well
double mattresses to Door of Hope in Pasa-
as explore the use of
dena, CA, and 25 double mattresses to
medications to alleviate Ed Cook Jr. ’77 is the director of the Center for Neurodevelopmental
People Assisting the Homeless in Los Ange-
Disorders at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago,
symptoms. les, both groups working with individuals
where he conducts autism research.
In 1997 he and his and families transitioning out of homeless-
research team published findings on chromosome 15q duplication syndrome, a clinically ness into permanent housing. He has
identifiable group of symptoms found in individuals with an extra piece of chromosome 15 that projects lined up for 2011 in San Francisco,
Houston, Dallas, New York City, Jacksonville
has duplicated end-to-end. This extra genetic material is one of the most frequently identified
and New Orleans. Tammy Nguyen Lee and
chromosome problems in people with autism.
husband George celebrated the birth of
For years Cook has been a scientific and professional adviser for IDEAS, a parent support their first child, Gabriella Young An Lee,
group for children and adults affected by the syndrome. Nov. 23, 2010. Tammy, the recipient of SMU’s
“People with this condition remind me of my brother from childhood to adulthood,” Cook says. 2010 Emerging Leader award, is the director
“I’m not surprised that I’ve ended up working with these families, who, like my parents, inspire of development for original programming at
AMS Pictures (“Ma’s Roadhouse,” “Girl
me with their commitment to provide a loving home and dedication to their children’s needs.”
Meets Gown”) and president/founder of the
Cook now is involved in trials for the first autism medications developed on the basis of
nonprofit ATG Against The Grain Produc-
genetic findings. “Our ultimate goal is to find more drug treatment options,” he says. tions. Patricia McGregor graduated from the
A student of the late Harold Jeskey, SMU’s R.S. Lazenby Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, directing program at the Yale School of
Cook says that undergraduate work with molecules and “being tested under pressure was Drama where she was artistic director of
good training for a future physician/researcher.” He holds a Bachelor’s degree in biology the Yale Cabaret. She has worked at venues
including Broadway, BAM, Second Stage,
from the University.
The Kennedy Center, The Public Theater,
His fondest memory of SMU: meeting his wife, Melissa Perrett ’76, during his first night on
The Kitchen, the O’Neill National Playwrit-
campus in 1973. The couple married in 1981, after his graduation from The University of Texas ing Conference, Lincoln Center Institute and
Medical Branch at Galveston. They have two children: daughter Lindsay and son Andrew. Exit Art. Last November she was back on
– Cherri Gann the SMU campus holding auditions for the
42 smu | magazine | 2011
— class notes
play “Yerma,” which she directed. C.J.
Nelson is researching cases for Seniors vs
Altshuler Honored With Ethics Award
Crime, a special project of the Florida attor- Philanthropic trailblazer Ruth Collins Sharp
ney general. He is a member of the Altshuler ’48 was honored as the 2011 recipient of
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Advisory Council. the J. Erik Jonsson Ethics Award presented by
Cecilia Dubon Slesnick and her husband, SMU’s Cary Maguire Center for Ethics and Public
Don Slesnick III, announce the birth of their Responsibility March 10. Altshuler has given
daughter, Cecilia Anne, Nov. 6, 2010. Kevin L.
generously of her time, talents and resources to
Weiss is senior vice president of human
the community and SMU, which has honored
resources in the integrated systems group
her with its Distinguished Alumni Award. One of
at L-3 Communications, a defense aerospace
SMU’s longest-serving trustees, she is former
business. Crystal Willars married Matthew
Vastine ’05 in a ceremony on Maroma chair and a current member of the Board of
Beach, Mexico, Sept. 16, 2010. She is a Trustees. She is co-chair of The Second Century
senior marketing manager for AT&T, and he Campaign Leadership Council and The Second
is a flight test engineer at Lockheed Martin Century Celebration Organizing Committee.
and a Smoothie King franchisee in Fort
IntroducIng Mustang Mini Reunions
New for Homecoming Weekend this fall
“Mustang Minis” are small, alumni-driven gatherings
reuniting people who share common connections at SMU.
Reconnect with friends from your
residence hall, Greek organization,
athletic club, multicultural group or
favorite student organization.
To plan your own Mustang Mini, visit
smu.edu/reunion.
2011 | spring/summer | smu 43
— class notes
Worth. Together they own and operate Vermont. Jonathan Giles and Rebecca Atlanta called “The Puckin’ Fuppet Show”
Fort Worth Foodie, a quarterly magazine Waghorn Giles ’03 announce the birth of and is the artistic director and a puppeteer
dedicated to food culture in Fort Worth. twins Knox Carter and Tatum Aubrey, Febru- for the web series “The Sci-Fi Janitors.”
ary 16. Bernard M. Jones was elected to the Christopher Epp and Mairin Flynn ’04 were
01 American Cancer Society board of directors.
He is the associate dean of admissions and
married Oct. 16, 2010, in Dallas. They reside
in Austin. The Rev. Michael W. Waters
Reunion Chairs: Monica Netherland external affairs at Oklahoma City University (M.Div. ’06) has been the primary religion
Hopkins, Newton N. Hopkins, School of Law. Laran Carman O’Neill (M.L.A. writer for more than a year for the online
Sara Love Swaney ’08) has been promoted to director of devel- publication Dallas South News. His most
José Galarza was hired by Yestermorrow opment for the Cox School of Business at recent article focused on Junie Collins Wil-
Design/Build School as the first director of SMU, having served as assistant director liams, age 16 when a bomb ripped through
semester programs. He is an architectural since August 2007. the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church of Bir-
designer, builder and educator with experi- mingham Sept. 15, 1963. The blast killed four
ence in planning, project management, 02 young girls, one of whom was her sister.
Rev. Waters is the founder and senior pastor
information technology and construction.
As Yestermorrow’s community outreach Jon Alexis is president of TJ’s Seafood in of Joy Tabernacle A.M.E. Church in Dallas.
coordinator, he handled class building proj- Dallas, specializing in fresh seafood and the Lisa Renee Wilson married David Benjamin
ects with such clients as the Vermont personalized service of a family business. McCaul in Seattle, July 31, 2010.
Foodbank’s Kingsbury Farm. Currently he Beau Brown was asked to direct Late Night
Entertainment at the 2011 National
runs José Galarza Building Workshop, an
Puppetry Festival in Atlanta. He currently
03
architectural design studio based in central
produces a late-night puppet slam in Lisa Blank married Brent Matthew Wynn
Aug. 28, 2010. They live in Portland, OR.
Martin Coe is a systems engineer and
founder of Intelligent PD, an engineering
EUROPEAN CHARM, FRONTIER SPIRIT consulting and contracting firm assisting
clients in product development of complex
Visit European Heritage Sites, French medical devices. Shannon Winslow De Leon
Vineyards And Alaskan Glaciers and husband Ben welcomed their second
With Fellow Mustangs
daughter, Winslow Grace, March 12, 2010.
SMU’s Alumni Travel Program offers an Her sister, Anna Lee, was born in October
array of options for learning while explor- 2007. Christopher Frederick, aka Brotha
ing exciting destinations around the world. Fred, has joined KISS-FM 103.7 in Chicago
For travel questions, contact the travel as host of the morning show, syndicated in
companies directly at the numbers shown. several markets. Ryan Long earned a Mas-
For other information, call the Office of ter’s degree in engineering management
Alumni Relations at 214-768-2586 or toll- and information systems from SMU’s Lyle
free 1-888-327-3755, e-mail smualum@smu. School of Engineering in December 2010.
edu or visit smu.edu/alumni/events/travel. Chrissy Crawford Malone has launched a
new tech/art venture in New York called
June 11-21 LittleCollector.com, which offers limited-
THE GREAT JOURNEY THROUGH EUROPE edition contemporary art for children by
(Holland, Germany, France and Switzerland)
Shepard Fairey, David Levinthal, Cynthia
Gohagan & Company Travel
800-922-3088 Rowley and others. Crawford was an art
Sept. 22-Oct. 2
history major at SMU. Amy Sims became
Aug. 4-14 PARIS AND THE VILLAGES AND
VINEYARDS OF FRANCE
part of the SMU athletic staff Sept. 10, 2010,
ALASKAN FRONTIERS & GLACIERS (Includes Reims, Hautvilliers, Beaune as assistant director of athletics giving.
LUXURY CRUISE and Dijon) Previously she was community development
(Includes Hubbard Glacier, Icy Strait Point,
AHI Travel director at the Arthritis Foundation and
Ketchikan and Sitka)
800-323-7373 Leukemia Texas, both in Dallas.
Go Next Travel
800-842-9023
44 smu | magazine | 2011
— class notes
Mustangs Meet Up In Manhattan 06
The renowned New York Public Reunion Chairs: Chip Hiemenz, Katie
Library was the setting for an Horgan
alumni gathering April 5. New York
Katie Knapp Littlefield has lived and worked
City chapter leaders pictured are:
in Japan and now China since her SMU
(front, from left) Andrew Afifian
graduation. In 2008 she and a business part-
’00, Sara McCooey ’06 and Jackie
ner founded an international online retail
Effenson ’05, chapter president;
company called Hazel and Marie Pearls,
(back) Francesca de la Rama ’10,
profiled in the February 2011 issue of
Kevin Schubert ’04, Jordan Carter
Shanghai Talk. They are carrying on the
’08 and Jennifer Kesterson ’06.
accessorizing legacy of their grandmothers
Rick Halperin, director of SMU’s
(Hazel and Marie) by offering heirloom-
Embrey Human Rights Program
quality pearls online. Anne Reilly
in Dedman College, and Brad E.
Rasmussen is a December 2010 graduate of
Cheves, vice president for
SMU’s Master of Liberal Studies program.
Development and External Affairs,
spoke at the event.
07
Anna Alvarado practices law with Tanner
of Business at the University of Pennsyl- and Associates PC in Fort Worth. Olivia
04 vania in May 2011 and will work in the Bender and A.J. Undorfer ’08 were married
investment banking division of Credit at Perkins Chapel Oct. 16, 2010. Olivia is the
Margaret (Peggy) Covert Branch was married
Suisse. Jordan Reisenweber and Aubrey daughter of Betsy Hall Bender ’77. Temitope
in December 2009 and had a son in 2010.
Knappenberger ’04 were married Aug. 21, (Temi) Oladiran married Demetrio Moroni at
Lindsay Goodner has been named a 2010
2010, in Laguna Beach and now live in Santa Perkins Chapel Oct. 28, 2008, and welcomed
Texas “Rising Star” by Texas Monthly maga-
Monica. He has been with MOG Music Net- twin daughters, Ashley and Alisha, Nov. 15,
zine. She is an associate attorney in Dallas
work for two years and recently was 2010. Angela Pena and Ben Ulrich ’08 were
at Chamblee, Ryan, Kershaw and Anderson
promoted to digital account executive on the married at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in
PC. Mikhail Orlov launched webyshops.com,
West Coast. She is a digital account execu- Dallas Sept. 4, 2010. They first met during
a web-based sporting goods retailer that
tive at comedycentral.com for MTV Week of Welcome at SMU. Angela works in
sells major-brand products. Quia Querisma
Networks. José Leonardo Santos (Ph.D. ’08) marketing and Ben is a financial analyst.
is managing editor of SoulTrain.com,
was appointed social science assistant pro- Jennifer Gadd Snow and her husband,
which has run interviews with such per-
fessor of anthropology in the College of Arts Andrew F. Snow, are the parents of Harrison
formers as Arrested Development, Joonie
and Sciences at Metropolitan State Univer- Taylor Benjamin, born in Dallas Sept. 10,
and Rhian Benson.
sity in Saint Paul, MN. He was once an 2010. Andrew is director of alumni relations
adjunct lecturer and research assistant at in the SMU Office of Development.
05 SMU, focusing his work on urban immi-
Andrew Dees is a staf sergeant in the U.S. grants. Courtney Underwood has worked for 08
Marines. In October 2010 he joined “The eight years to get a SANE (Sexual Assault
Eric Camp is an attorney in the oil and gas
President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band as a Nurse Examiner) program in Dallas. Last
practice group at Whitaker Chalk Swindle &
clarinetist and performs regularly at the November she was among the celebrants
Sawyer LLP in Fort Worth. The Rev. D.
White House and across the nation. Elaine hailing a $2 million grant to support a SANE
Anthony Everett has been appointed to the
Ferguson married Christopher Coleman ’10 program and treatment center at Texas
Lexington-Fayette (KY) Urban County
in Marietta, OK. They celebrated their elope- Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas. SANE
Human Rights Commission. He is the asso-
ment with family in October 2010 at the is a service that helps sexual assault victims
ciate director for African American
Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, where in the traumatic aftermath of attacks and
Ministries with the Kentucky Conference of
they live. Murtaza Madraswala joined the assists law enforcement in prosecuting the
The United Methodist Church. Lindsay
Nike Inc. headquarters in Beaverton, OR, attackers. Hunter Woodlee has his own
Miller joined the SMU alumni relations
married in 2008 and welcomed a daughter gaming company in Dallas, Controlled
team in December 2010 as alumni programs
in 2010. Courtney Reilly will graduate with Chaos, working with iphone apps, video
coordinator. Previously she was a program
an M.B.A. degree from the Wharton School games and the like.
2011 | spring/summer | smu 45
— class notes
specialist at Mothers Against Drunk Driving 00 (Kidd-Key College) Mildred Abel Martin, Pace McBeath, 11/8/10 William W.
and a pacesetter campaign associate for 10/28/03 McCormick, 8/8/09 John E. Moore,
United Way. Tatiana Vertiz won her age group 29 Rebecca Roberts ’41, 12/13/10 4/24/10 Hugh O. Mussina ’55, 8/30/10 Jack
at the Hawaii Ironman last October and is 31 Dr. D. Richard Bowles, 8/29/90 Margaret S. Rolf, 2/14/11 Joe F. Schreiber, 11/4/10
the official women’s world champion triath- Moore Solomon, 10/17/10 Sammy Z. Seltzer, 11/30/10 The Hon.
lete for ages 18-24. She has been competing 33 Harry Edward Kenny Jr. ’34, 9/1/77 Rodrick L. Shaw, 12/27/10 Esther
for only a few years, discovering her love 34 Irma Sigler Boyer, 12/5/10 Elsie Lietemeyer Smith, 9/1/10 Charles R.
for the sport while a student at SMU. Frankfurt Pollock, 1/5/11 Totebusch Jr., 10/9/10
36 Louise Little Barbeck, 11/13/10 Susanna 50 Marshall K. Bercaw Jr. ’54, 12/23/08
Saville Grinnan, 2/12/11 Charles Robert Busbee, 9/8/10 Laverne I.
09 37 Dorothy Wathen Mayers, 11/13/10 The Bynum, 1/10/11 Curtis H. Cadenhead Jr.
Katye Dunn is the associate youth minister Rev. Harry Frank Miller, 1/16/06 ’51, 11/29/10 Garvin H. Germany Jr. ’55,
at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church 38 Dr. Cecelia Bachrach Crow ’40, 11/8/10 8/21/01 Tresa June Thompson Ghormley,
Robert L. Howell, 12/15/10 1/2/96 L. Camp Gilliam, 12/17/10 Guy
in Little Rock. Erin McCormick works in San
39 Lurlyn January Fleming, 1/23/11 Dr. Douglas Herring, 1/9/11 Kevin B. Koecher,
Francisco for 18 Rabbits, an organic granola
Presley Clyde Funk III, 1/19/11 Andrew M. 10/10/10 William D. Lawrence Jr., 1/25/10
company which sells its products in Dallas
Swarthout, 9/24/10 William David Minnick, 5/24/10 Nancy M.
at Whole Foods and Central Market. Megan
40 Dr. Charles O’Neill Galvin, 1/27/11 Ben R. Granrud Monson, 8/30/10 Robert J.
L. Rosser is the lead kindergarten teacher at
Howard, 2/9/09 Frances Cornett Warren, Robinson ’52, 11/15/10 Lawrence Ray
Truth Campus charter school Shekinah
11/27/10 Ward, 12/27/10 Leanora Lee Tartt
Radiance Academy, responsible for all cur-
41 Adm. George L. Cassell, 3/20/09 Josh H. Williams, 1/19/11 Willard Charles
riculum design, instruction and supervision.
Parr, 9/5/07 Dixie Martin Taylor, 11/15/10 Williams, 7/20/88
Shelley Smith spent six months volunteer-
42 Mary Ellen Haughton Forde, 12/29/10 51 Maurice E. Cunningham Cantrell, 9/24/10
ing in South Africa teaching and working in Winfred Larry (W.L.) Tunnell, 2/10/11 William Brown Gough, 10/13/10 Dr.
journalism and videography. Now she lives 43 Thomas Slater Walker, 11/9/10 James P. Eugene Thornton Herrin Jr., 11/20/10
in Los Angeles and works in digital ad sales Williams Jr., 2/12/11 Martha A. Bynum Irizarry ’70, 12/29/10
for Turner Broadcasting Company. 44 Frances Golden Ware, 12/16/10 E.C. Karnavas, 1/26/11 Porter Loring Jr.,
45 Vivian Walker Chaffin, 9/22/10 Horace 1/14/11 Michael Gordon Reily Sr., 2/21/90
10 Eugene Chamberlain, 1/12/11 Elizabeth Leo Bernard Rickmers, 6/2/06 Eugene
Shawver Cramer, 9/10/10 Dr. Ewing Bragg Smith Jr., 1/23/11 Noel N.
Juan José de León won the Metropolitan Burton Jones, 3/1/11 The Rev. B. Rhodes Standridge, 2/22/01 Clayborn Umberfield
Opera National Council’s southwest regional Martin, 7/12/10 Luther S. Pully, 1/3/11 Jr., 11/14/10 Phillip Donald Weihs, 9/12/10
auditions Jan. 23, 2011, and in February 46 Tom H. Owens Jr., 9/5/10 Dr. Charles Edgar Wells, 6/14/10 Helen
made his Dallas Opera debut in “Romeo and 47 Richard R. Brown, 11/3/10 Fred Eubanks, Rumback Wood, 5/14/03
Juliet.” Eric Peng, Ph.D., joined the Dallas 11/5/10 Dorothy Coughran Harbordt, 52 James Merritt Anderson, 2/27/10 Jo Nell
office of the national law firm Fish & Rich- 2/13/10 Dr. Robert L. Johnson Jr., 1/4/11 Ussery Bailey, 6/16/09 Louise Ballerstedt
ardson PC as a technical advisor in the Dr. Edgar Lee Lancaster Jr., 2/28/10 Raggio, 1/22/11 Martin W. Vernon,
patent group, supporting patent prosecution Lorelei Weltman Marks, 11/5/03 Claude T. 11/24/10
in technologies including wireless commu- Savage Jr., 9/23/10 Gloria Thornton Slack 53 David Leo Blonstein, 10/24/10 Don A.
nications, semiconductors and software. ’48, 2/26/11 Dozier, 3/12/10 Ruth Joyce Potts Fulgham
He is a member of the technical profes- 48 Albert E. Aikman III, 12/8/09 Edward E. ’74, 2/12/11 Patsy Martin Rogers, 5/2/06
sional association IEEE and the Leadership Blount ’57, 2/12/07 Todd Corry, 9/19/10 Jake W. Scherer, 1/5/11 The Rev. Norris
Institute. Alan H. Rose has launched hand- James O. Faires Sr., 7/20/10 Jack F. Fanta, Steele, 8/29/09 Willard Dawson Sterling,
sondallas.com, a multimedia news site that 12/27/10 Jack H. Hunter, 5/24/10 Howard 1/15/11 Effie Xeros Yianitsas, 9/22/10
covers sports, entertainment, food and news F. Mauldin, 9/22/10 Louise Ferguson 54 Albert Mitchell Belchic, 11/17/00 Peter
in Dallas and the surrounding area. He is McKnight, 11/24/10 Arthur E. O’Connor Joseph Canizaro, 5/1/84 John Glenn
pursuing a Master’s degree in emerging ’58, 1/9/11 John F. Slice, 9/11/10 Donaho, 1/31/07 Roscoe C. Elmore, 11/2/10
49 James E. Browning, 7/28/04 Joseph Richard Lee Farr, 1/1/11 Hal Neitzel,
media and communication and also works
Albert Calamia, 2/20/09 George E. 8/31/10 John Curtis Thompson, 10/19/10
for the Texas Rangers baseball organization.
Cowand, 2/15/11 Floyd Merle Fields, 2/2/11 William W. Ventress, 4/6/10
Joe Freed, 2/2/11 Deryl Hamilton 56 Priscilla Rettger Bell, 2/1/11 Kenneth R.
Freeman, 11/13/10 Ruth Rein Hopper, Davey, 11/15/10 Bruce Anthony Dunmore,
2/9/11 Lt. Col. Clifford W. Houy, 12/11/10 10/27/09 Theodore E. Gebhardt, 12/15/10
Nancy Warlick Loe, 9/15/10 Margaret Carl D. Jackson, 12/16/10 Frederick Lee
46 smu | magazine | 2011
— in memoriam
Kribs Jr., 8/6/10 Jeanne Byrd Meyer, 69 Thomas E. Gaines, 11/14/10 Dr. Gary W. Anthony Marczynski ’93, 10/23/07
12/21/09 Diane Hall Mitchell, 2/5/11 Husa, 10/10/10 93 Robert Lewis Millard II, 1/28/11 Raymond
Carolyn Clark Norton ’75, 2/28/10 Martha 70 Wm. R. Newsom, 2/17/10 Russell J. Jacques Seguin, 1/25/11
Maxwell Waters, 9/25/10 Spetter, 11/2/10 Michael David Tuttle, 94 Khristannand Bipatnath, 4/26/10 Travis
57 Taylor Boyd II, 2/4/11 Jerry D. Brownlow, 10/4/10 Verner J. Vansyckle, 7/1/70 Houston Davis, 10/12/09 Mickey Scott
4/14/05 Barbara Brian Hamilton, 12/24/10 71 Beverly Barnette, 8/31/10 Jarrett H. Maxwell, 6/8/10
William C. Kaltenbach, 12/19/10 The Rev. Boren, 2/28/11 Carolyn Sue Johnson, 95 William Robert Cole, 7/14/10
William Roy Moyers, 2/19/10 Mildred 9/4/10 John W. Moore, 8/17/05 Gail 96 Brenda Lea Newlin, 12/2/10 Christin
Hancock Penk, Ph.D., ’70, ’75, 11/24/09 Andrea Schatzman Smith, 10/23/10 Rooney Palmer, 3/3/11
Danny (Buzz) Seibold, 8/27/10 Dr. John Warren Tomlinson, 1/18/11 Janet L. 97 Mary Jane Furr, 10/19/10
Clinton Shanks, 1/3/11 Marie Shippen Whittlesey, 11/13/10 Patricia Rogers 98 A’Drewana Chane’t Johnson, 12/2/10
Snyder, 4/12/96 Winters, 3/28/04 00 Adelea Anne Fussell, 9/20/10
58 Charles C. Blaylock, 12/22/10 Donald E. 72 Pastor Ralph Howard Ford, 2/26/11 01 Martha L. O’Rourke, 1/7/11
Fisher Jr., 9/24/10 Robert M. Lindsley, Martha Addington Hoffmann, 8/24/10 02 Cory Christopher Fross, 11/14/10
8/31/10 Jacqueline Roberts Miller, 9/9/10 Sophronia Sue Broom McCone, 10/9/02 04 Johnny Kyle Cotton, 9/16/10
Prof. Robert C. Moffat ’62, 11/14/10 James (Jim) McLure, 2/17/11 Daniel 05 Benjamin (Ben) Todd Fricke, 2/21/11
Thomas G. Nash Jr. ’62, 1/24/11 Warren Joseph McNulty, 9/22/00 Robert Chris Moore, 2/20/10 Courtney S.
Mark Pulich, 11/27/10 Clairenne 73 Thomas Alan Draper, 9/28/10 Bryan K. Turner Chambers, 1/3/11
Allensworth Sanborn, 7/20/10 John R. Ford, 11/20/10 Jean K. Lemons Slagle ’76,
Standley, 5/24/10 Kay Barnhouse Stout, 8/28/10 John William Steakley Jr., SMU Community
12/17/10 Otis C. Wyatt Jr., 2/6/10 11/27/10 Earl Borgeson, retired professor and law
59 Patricia Hand Armstrong, 1/11/10 John 74 Alan R. Barr ’82, 1/3/11 Dr. James E. Fix librarian at Dedman School of Law,
Robert Biar, 1/22/11 Dr. Rex Jordan Sr., 1/17/11 Ernest E. Hoffman III, 9/7/10 12/25/10
Cantrell, 12/19/08 James E. Graham, Marta Heria Reina Paisan, 1/14/11 L. Paul Ben Earp, SMU staff, 12/7/10
1/1/62 Morgan P. Groves ’63, 3/13/10 Snell III, 9/18/10 Robert E. Verinder Sr., Charley Galvin, former dean of Dedman
Elizabeth Oates Hefner, 11/13/10 Kennett 11/13/10 School of Law, 1/27/11
Hobbs, 11/21/10 Gloria A. Galouye Jackson 75 Ronny Vandon Cook, 10/4/10 Dr. Paula Eugene Herrin, Schuler-Foscue Endowed
’78, 1/13/11 Douglas H. Jeffers, 11/18/10 Moffett, 5/10/10 Chair in the Roy M. Huffington
Robert C. Peterson, 3/31/09 Jennings B. 76 Patti Crook Parris, 10/30/10 Jerry L. Department of Earth Sciences, 11/20/10
Thompson, 5/24/09 Turner, 12/23/10 Willem Willemstyn, Douglas E. Jackson, retired professor of
60 Charles E. Ashmore, 10/16/10 Lucretia 1/15/11 sociology of religion at Perkins School of
Nilan Cloran, 12/3/10 Bill W. Folmar ’67, 77 Lillian Dubois Starr, 9/8/10 Victoria Theology, 1/26/11
8/24/10 Wayland Kesler, 12/23/08 Don Veach-Rogers, 12/12/10 Karl Kilinski, SMU professor, 1/6/11
Meredith, 12/5/10 78 Victor Charles Barton Jr., 10/1/10 Ann S. Knowles, retired SMU staff, 10/7/10
61 Guy P. Reese, 11/22/10 Susan Herring Lawrence David Hanna, 10/12/10 Laura Laurin, retired SMU staff, 9/29/10
Stahl, 2/14/11 Frederick W. McElroy ’82, 12/20/10 Syd Reagan, retired professor in Cox School of
62 Frank J. Doran, 1/22/11 Theron J. Ewert 80 Fred Irven Franklin, 11/22/10 Ruth Business, 11/10/10
’71, 10/10/10 The Rev. Kenneth T. Metzger, Harbison McDowell, 12/30/10 Allan K. R. Richard Rubottom ’32, ’33, former professor
3/9/10 Charles D. Wood, 11/4/10 Moser, 12/4/10 Phil Rolland, 5/14/10 of political science, 12/6/10
63 B. Gill Clements, 10/21/10 B.G. Folkers, 81 Ann Hillin, 9/30/10 Craig Brantley Vernon James Shelton, retired SMU staff, 12/23/10
4/1/10 ’90, 9/21/10 James Cleo Thompson, former SMU trustee,
64 Robert E. McClendon, 7/18/08 83 Charles Pasquale Guerriero IV ’89, 2/8/11 11/18/10
65 David B. Harrell Jr., 3/6/10 R. Lewis Robin Perkins McBride, 4/8/08 Fern Helene Chase Whitehurst, SMU staff,
Nicholson ’67, 10/27/10 84 David Michael Radman, 10/17/10 10/26/10
66 Don T. Bullock, 8/1/86 Katherine 85 Hei Tak Chu ’87, 4/16/03 Frederic Cullen Emmitt Wickliffe, retired SMU staff, 10/17/10
Zimmerman Huller, 1/18/11 Jack Frank Liskow, 2/14/11 Phillip Brian Morton, Mike Wooton, retired professor in Cox School
Lutts, 4/23/10 George Wilfert Martin, 1/18/11 of Business, 1/24/11
6/24/99 Martin F. O’Donnell, 9/27/10 86 Mary Tichenor Metzinger, 4/2/10 Rodney
Samuel C. Oliver III, 9/20/10 Albert B. William Winslow, 1/18/11 Correction: In the 2010 fall/winter issue of
Ramsdell, 9/1/83 Jack W. Rhodes, 10/15/10 87 James Mathew McGee, 3/21/10 SMU Magazine, the date of death for James B.
Henry L. Spence, 10/29/10 89 Marjorie Ann White, 9/12/10 Seaman II ’70 was listed as 9/1/78. The date
67 Hugh E. Prather III, 11/15/10 90 Martha A. Cochrum, 3/31/05 should have been 9/25/78. We sincerely regret
68 Douglass Phillip Bales ’70, 2/8/10 Richard 91 David Nigle Evans, 9/13/09 this error.
Dean Hawn ’73, 11/22/10 92 Allen Robert Cole, C.P.A., 1/16/11 Brian
2011 | spring/summer | smu 47
— hilltop history
Dallas On The Eve Of SMU’s Founding
In 1910 Dallas, a growing, Cultural amenities were
Southern Methodist University, Central University Libraries, DeGolyer Library.
chest-thumping city of not plentiful. Not until 1901
commerce in northeast Texas, did Dallas get its first public
was earmarked as the best library… . A modest art
unoccupied site in the nation museum had been created at
for a new college. Such was the the same time by allocating
stated opinion of the executive space on the second floor of
secretary of the General the library.
Education Board of New York. On all sides of the city
Such matters had received some farmers grew crops – mostly
but not significant attention cotton – in the black, waxy
in Dallas. Its businessmen had soil, and Dallas became a
been preoccupied with commerce market center. Texas was
and growth. raising about one-third of the
Rapid growth was the basis world’s cotton, and 60 percent
for its chest-thumping pride. of Texas’ cotton was raised
Between 1900 and 1910 the city within a 100-mile radius
Members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks parade during a
more than doubled in size, of Dallas.
national reunion, circa 1908, on Main Street in downtown Dallas.
jumping from 42,638 to 91,104. One of the new develop-
That spurt was continuing unabated. had moved there in 1878 from Huntsville. ments attracting attention in the area
By 1920 the population reached 158,978, Founded in 1841 by a wandering was aviation. In 1911 the traveling
a nearly fourfold increase in just two trader from Tennessee who envisioned a International Aviators put on a spectacular
decades. Classified by the U.S. Census thriving trading post on the banks of show at Fair Park.
Bureau as an “emerging” metropolis, the Trinity River, Dallas had been The vision of acquiring a fine university
Dallas became one of 19 American cities promoted loudly from that moment as for Dallas did not hold the same allure
with a population between 100,000 and the most promising site in North Texas. as did the miracles of flight, growth and
200,000. The arrival of the first two railroads commerce. But a sense of realization
In the area of higher education … by in 1872 and 1873 ... prompted an explosion was dawning. To be a city of renown,
1910 the city could boast of a small in population. Dallas must have a quality university to
college for young women that had been A bird’s-eye view showed three attract and to serve young men and
in existence since 1889, Saint Mary’s major downtown streets – Elm, Main women. It could be an ornament in the
College. Its doors closed in 1930. Dallas and Commerce. Commercial and retail city’s crown.
also was the site of a medical school, activities, originally centered on the But how to get one? Start one from
organized in 1903 (moved to Houston courthouse square, had spread eastward scratch or find an existing university
in 1943). along the three main thoroughfares. that could be enticed to move to Dallas?
Dallas’ nearby rival, Fort Worth, The sidewalks were filled with pedes- No matter. When Dallas decided it
although smaller, had made a successful trians in this day when downtown needed something for the betterment of
overture in 1910 to bring to its city an was the center of life in Dallas. Electric the city, it generally found a way to get it.
established college, Texas Christian streetcars, horse-drawn carts and a
University. It had accepted Fort Worth’s growing number of automobiles crowded Darwin Payne ’68 is SMU professor
offer of $200,000 and 50 acres for a the streets. emeritus of communications and
campus after a fire destroyed its main Two outstanding new residential areas centennial historian. The full essay is
building in Waco. In Houston, Rice had been developed in recent years – included in From High on the Hilltop...
Institute was preparing to open its Munger Place and Junius Heights – east Marshall Terry’s History of SMU with Various
doors. Even little Sherman, a town just a of downtown. And just north of the city Essays by His Colleagues (DeGolyer
few miles north of Dallas along the old was the exclusive suburban development Library and Three Forks Press, 2009).
Preston Trail, had Austin College, which of Highland Park, incorporated in 1913
as a separate city.
48 smu | magazine | 2011
— end notes
Check This Out
SMU libraries bear little resemblance to
the first library that was located in a
room in Dallas Hall. The University
system now comprises seven libraries
– DeGolyer Library, Fondren Library
Center, Hamon Arts Library, Institute for
the Study of Earth and Man, Business
Up To The Challenge
Information Center, and the professional Inertia, the 2D platform arcade game
Underwood Law Library and Bridwell
created by students from The Guildhall
Library, as well as libraries at SMU-in-
at SMU-in-Plano, is one of the big
Taos and SMU-in-Plano. Patrons also digitized special collections items and
rely on online materials available streaming access to more than 50,000 winners ($130,000 in cash and prizes)
through SMU libraries – approximately CDs. And there is always the traditional of the second annual Indie Game
20,000 magazine or journal subscriptions, route: more than 3 million books. Check
Challenge (www.indiegamechallenge.
472 databases, 308,700 e-books, 8,330 it out at smu.edu/libraries.
com/finalists/inertia). The eight
members of SMU’s Team Hermes are
enrolled in the Master’s degree
Badges Of Honor program in video game design at The
Guildhall. In addition, a four-member
Michaux Nash Jr. ’56 ended a three-decade
treasure hunt a few years ago by team was named as one of three
completing the only known collection of finalists in the National STEM Video
sheriffs’ badges from all 254 Texas Game Challenge in Washington, D.C.
counties. Nash, a fourth-generation
The educational game Slime Garden
Dallasite and third-generation banker,
donated the collection to SMU last year. teaches scientific methodology by
It is a one-of-a-kind collection because incorporating experimentation and
regulations now prohibit private simulation (slimegarden.com). The
individuals from obtaining genuine law
Guildhall recently was named one of
enforcement badges, says DeGolyer
Library Director Russell Martin ’78, ’86. the top graduate programs in video
The collection can be viewed at DeGolyer game design by The Princeton Review.
Library; call 214-768-2253 or visit smu.
edu/cul/degolyer.
Michaux Nash Jr.
Just The Historical Facts, Please
It seems there are sharp eyes and memories among several of our alumni, who
contacted SMU Magazine to gently inform us that the photo on the back cover
of the Fall/Winter 2010 issue was not of SMU’s 1934 Homecoming queen. In
fact, we were contacted by the Homecoming queen from the actual year of the
photo: Sarah-Finch Maiden “Skippy” Rollins (Mrs. Joe G. Rollins) ’42, who
now lives in Boulder, Colorado. She says it was she sitting atop the
convertible during SMU’s Homecoming parade in downtown Dallas in fall
1941. SMU Magazine stands corrected, and so does SMU Archives.
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
SOUTHERN METHODIST
UNIVERSITY
SMU MAGAZINE
SMU BOX 750402
DALLAS TX 75275-0402
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