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Academics

Spring Break 2013: Italia

By Mehdi Hami

While my friends were under the sun or on a boat during Spring Break, I was learning. It may seem weird to “learn” during Spring Break, but it was the best Spring Break I’ve ever had.

I’m in a class this semester that covers the Italian Renaissance in Florence and Venice. To complement the in-class portion of learning about the Renaissance, we got to go to Florence and Venice over Spring Break! With ten other students in the class, we flew to Italy and stayed there for the whole week.

Liz Blumberg, Liz O’Neill, and Brie Strickland, three other Ambassadors, went on the trip and made it that much better! We visited the most historic sites of the Renaissance and learned about a period in history that was filled with art, intellect, and innovation.

 From going to museums and old palaces to eating pizza like it was the last thing left on Earth, I honestly think I only slept a total of 35 hours the whole trip.  Seeing the cities late at night after all the tourists had gone to sleep was definitely the best part of the trip. It’s crazy how different everything looks and feels in silence and with only a few people there where thousands were just hours before. Sleep is overrated, especially in Italy.

Who has time to sleep in Venice and Florence? I’m never going to look back on my Spring Break in Italy and tell myself, “Man, I really wish I slept; I was so sleepy that night.”

Thanks to SMU for the greatest Spring Break ever.

Pony Up!

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General

Dining with Decision Makers

By Will Slack

SMU is a unique university. Our university’s administration welcomes suggestions and ideas from students regarding university improvement and policy change. One venue in which students are able to voice concerns and ideas is through the Dining with Decision Makers event. Held annually, this event is coordinated by the University’s Board of Trustees and allows students the opportunity to meet and speak with current board members. The Board of Trustees exists to guide and direct the university to further our mission statement, budget for future growth/capital improvement, and improve the student experience. During this event students are treated to a formal dinner with trustees. This dinner allows students to speak candidly with board members, thank them for their contributions to the university, and discuss student needs. Recently, I had the opportunity to attend Dining with Decision Makers 2013. Undoubtedly, this has been one of my favorite SMU memories; I had the opportunity to speak with engaging board members and glimpse the future of our university. While SMU is focused on the past and present, we place a heavy emphasis on where the university can be in the future. I can truthfully say SMU is heading in an exciting direction and incoming student leaders (future Mustangs) have the opportunity to work with the university’s administration and board members to shape this future.

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Academics General

Shaq Attack

By Brie Strickland

I still remember the day the Miami Heat signed Shaquille O’Neal. It was one of the greatest days because my parents jumped at the opportunity to get season tickets. Fast forward eight years and I’m get a late afternoon phone call from a friend asking if I’d like to go to lecture with Dr. O’Neal. Yes you read that right- the NBA powerhouse also has a PhD from Barry University in Miami.

As I settled in my seat in the intimate O’Donnell Auditorium on SMU’s campus, the crowd suddenly went silent. Ducking to fit through the doorway was Shaq himself, escorted by a five foot tall female cop. Couldn’t Shaq serve as him own bodyguard?  Nonetheless, he sat down and as he did his presence immediately consumed the room. I’ll be honest, I was not expecting much. I figured his PhD was on free throw physics, even though it didn’t seem to help him during his career. Instead, I discovered that his research was in humor and organizational leadership. An interesting combination coming from the man that brought us the 90s cinematic classic, KAZAAM.

At the end up the lecture of humor communications, the floor was opened to the students for Q&A. I was called on and when I mentioned I was an Anthropology major, Shaq used his famous wit to make an Indiana Jones remark. At the end of the program, Shaq made his way to his car surrounded by security and his small entourage. Luckily, my car was parked in the same direction and I got to snag a picture with one of my basketball heroes. The picture really sums it all up because, at a little over five feet tall, I barely reach his elbow. What an amazing way to spend a Friday night at SMU!

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General

I’m From Manhattan. Manhattan, Kansas That is…#TBT

By Andrew Galloway

On this #ThrowBackThursday, I reflect back on the days at SMU way before Twitter and even (gasp) “The” Facebook.  Coming to SMU from Manhattan, Kansas in 2004 was, let’s say, a change of pace.  Apparently, and I still don’t believe this, jean shorts and calf-high socks with sandals were not “in style.” 

Despite my supposed fashion no-no’s I still found a place at SMU.  Living in the Virginia-Snider honors residence hall was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.  Not only did I get to tell my football teammates that I was living in the Honors dorm and thus cooler than all of them, but I had the opportunity to meet some amazing people that are some of my best friends today.  Whether it’s Varun from Plano, Texas (groomsman in his wedding), Thomas from Pearland, TX (groomsman in his wedding) or Hunter from Rutledge, Georgia (best man in his wedding), these friendships were all built at SMU and are life-lasting.

Some pretty amazing things happened to me during my time at SMU.  Former President George W. Bush held a political rally on campus, I met Tony Blair, I had four internships for top-notch marketing firms, we beat TCU in football, and my mother and I were flown to the White House in recognition of SMU getting named the site for the Bush Presidential Library and Political Institute.  All of these opportunities may happen at other schools, but it is so rare that all of them would happen at a school the size of SMU and to person like me that didn’t know anyone prior to coming to SMU.  Whether it’s a big-time internship that you seek or an intimate conversation with a world leader, SMU gives you the chance to actually experience these things first-hand.  I can honestly say that I would have been happy at a lot of different schools, but the opportunities for me to have incredibly rare experiences at SMU were unmatched.

As an incredibly proud Co-Chair of the Class of 2008 5-Year Reunion (I’m officially old), I can’t help but marvel at what lies in store for future Mustangs.  With the opening of the Bush Presidential Center, 5 brand-new residence halls to accomodate sophomores, and the move to the Big East with a brand new Moody Coliseum, SMU is just an unbelievable place to be a part of right now.  These massive construction projects are just the tip of the iceberg.   Who knows what phenomenal speakers SMU will bring to campus during your years at SMU or what exciting changes Dallas holds for the future. 

All I do know is this. It is an incredible time to be a Mustang at SMU and I couldn’t be more proud of my alma mater or of being a life-long member of the Mustang family.  Pony Up!

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General

Make your Destination SMU

By Brie Strickland

The scariest time frame for any high school senior is the one in between submitting an application and the fateful day when a specially marked envelope is delivered. For those accepted there is a great sigh of relief until they realize they are not 100% sure on a school yet. Luckily, for accepted SMU students there is Destination SMU, better known as #DSMU in the social media realm. Destination SMU is two-day, overnight program that gives accepted students a greater look into the life of a SMU student. Special events includes “Taste of Dallas”, a lunch time event catered by some of my personal favorites- all of which are located within walking distance of SMU. Students are even given the option to stay overnight in one of the residence halls. The first event this year ended with ice cream sandwiches and a photo booth outside of Dallas Hall!

[Pictured: SMU Student Ambassadors Devin, Brie, Ramon and Phillip with newly committed Mustang, Joey Caruso]

Destination SMU is always one of my very favorite events of the spring because so many students commit to SMU right on the spot after this final visit. It reminds me of just three short years ago when I was a wide-eyed and enthusiastic high school senior. It’s funny to think that I’ve come so far since that time and how my love for SMU has only grown. I can’t wait for the next Destination SMU when hopefully even more accepted students will realize that SMU could be their new home!

Pony up!