After a long, noisy summer, the din of jackhammers and the sight of orange construction cones have disappeared, giving way to an expanded and even more scenic campus. Thanks to generous donors to The Second Century Campaign, several new facilities were dedicated this fall, with more to be completed and dedicated this winter.
Perkins School of Theology dedicated Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall, the 20,000-square-foot centerpiece of a revamped theology quad. Kirby and Selecman Halls also were extensively renovated.
Mustang Plaza and Mall opened on Friday, September 4, providing students, faculty, staff and visitors with a beautiful new vista containing 31,000 new plants, 82 trees and 83,000 square feet of paved stone between Moody Coliseum and Doak Walker Plaza.
More to come...
On June 15, SMU Athletics broke ground on the new SMU Payne Stewart Golf Learning Center, which will include a teaching facility with two indoor hitting bays and state-of-the-art video swing analysis. The center also will house a team clubhouse that includes men's and women's locker rooms, a Hall of Champions, coaches' offices, a study/computer center, a four-hole short game course and two large putting greens.
A new, improved and sustainable Caruth Hall will be dedicated in February, replacing the current facility with a state-of-the-art building that will be the greenest structure on campus. The building features simple reclamation approaches to save water, lab cabinetry fabricated from wheat and fume-free paint, rugs and wall coverings. And all of the building's construction materials were acquired regionally, cutting transportation costs and pollution.
Share
Comments (7)
Too bad the "Bush Library" has made our University the laughing stock of the world.
Posted by John Linehan | October 22, 2009 9:48 PM
Don't be surprised to find that history will show a different side of the Bush presidency. It will, at the very least, be much different than the portrayal given by the media; which people too ignorant to read, research, and think for themselves buy into everyday.
Posted by Cathy Rasch Pantik | October 23, 2009 8:24 AM
I doubt SMU will ever be a laughingstock. What a wonderful university.
Posted by D.Shelton | October 23, 2009 9:21 AM
I wouldn't call us a laughing stock, but as an alumnus, I was very disappointed that such a great university chose to host the "library" of the president who left our country in the worst shape in its history.
Posted by Clark Williams | October 23, 2009 10:29 AM
SMU is to be applauded for continuing to enhance its beautiful campus. TCU here in Fort Worth and countless other universities have overhauled their facilities as well.
I was not in favor of SMU's association with the Bush Library, but UT has not suffered by housing the LBJ Library, has it? If nothing else, it has gotten SMU more publicity.
Posted by Bill Berenson | October 23, 2009 11:34 AM
I find the comment on UT and the LBJ library very interesting. The "yellow dog" Democrats out there seem to have conveniently forgotten about how LBJ came to power (Does Duval County, where more people voted for LBJ than were known to be alive in the county ring a bell?) and went from modest beginnings to very wealthy. He probably could not have gotten reelected, so he wisely chose not to run. Yet, his image today is that of a great leader. The Clinton Administration and the Democrats actually had a substantial hand in the "bad shape" we find our country today but that got lost in the bitter partisan politics of the last election. Perhaps you should cut Bush a little slack AND remember that Laura is a graduate from the class of '68. Besides, there is always Jimmy Carter, who actually DID something great for his Nobel prize, to judge for inept administrations.
Posted by Bert Bivings | October 23, 2009 3:13 PM
Without a doubt, the Bush II administration was a tragedy for our country in many ways. However, even that story needs to be told and preserved if only as a warning for future generations. SMU continues to be an aesthetically beautiful campus and I think a serious contribution to the legacy of presidential history emphasizes its scholarship commitment as well.
Posted by Candace Ayars | October 23, 2009 6:04 PM