Following Their Passions, Three Now Serve As Industry Leaders
Success stories often include a pivotal moment that leads to a life's calling. That is certainly true for three women who followed their passions after graduating from SMU to become leaders in retail, broadcast journalism and the health care industry.
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An Organized Mind Never Goes To Waste
Politics of the 1970s – Watergate, Richard Nixon's pardon, Jimmy Carter's election – fascinated Melissa Meyer Reiff ('77), spurring an interest in law school. After graduating with a B.A. in political science from SMU, however, she took a different career course through a job that eventually led to her position as president of The Container Store.
Covering North America With CNN
tacia Philips Deshishku ('90) achieved her high profile career in broadcast journalism thanks to a minor meltdown her first year at SMU. The political science major, at first aiming to become the first female president, called her mother after the first semester and said, "I'm not really meant for college." With her mother's encouragement, she signed up at SMU's Counseling and Testing Center to take a series of aptitude tests, which pointed her toward journalism.
A CEO's Prescription For Success
On the first day of her orientation at Dedman School of Law, Angela Braly ('85) recalls being told that although half of her classmates were women, it would be 40 more years before they would achieve equal numbers as practitioners in the legal field.
Reaching Beyond The High Notes
Valerie Vinzant in Chabrier's "L'Etoile" Opera fans know they are in for a treat if a program contains arias from Massenet's "Manon," Handel's "Giulio Cesare" and Donizetti's "Linda di Chamounix." And that is what soprano Valerie Vinzant ('06) delivered last spring when she sang these selections before renowned judges and a packed house at the Dallas Opera Guild Competition. Vinzant, who won first place, also claimed first at the district level and third at the regional level at the 2007 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions earlier this year. Since earning her Bachelor's of music in voice at SMU, Vinzant...
Applying Group Effort To Group Excellence
Growing up as first-generation Americans in Garland, Texas, the Bhatti and Dorvil siblings helped each other navigate school – studying and playing together and watching out for one another after class.
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SMU Honors Distinguished Alumni
Four alumni have received the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest award SMU can bestow upon its alumni. Recipients are Linda Pitts Custard ('60, '99), James B. Gardner ('55), The Honorable Antonio O. "Tony" Garza Jr. ('83) and Rick Herrscher ('58). The Emerging Leader Award, which recognizes outstanding alumni who have graduated within the past 15 years, was presented to Nathan Allen ('00). They were honored at the DAA celebration in November.
New Goals To Serve Range Of Alumni Interests
Recent feedback from focus groups has enabled alumni leaders to establish new goals that focus on alumni priorities and interests.
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Manhattan Connections
Manhattan Connections Dancer Jamal Story ('99), back row, third from left, ensemble member and assistant dance captain for the Broadway musical "The Color Purple," met with members of Mustang Consultants in July in New York City. Eleven dance and communications students, along with Assistant Communications Professor Maria Dixon, worked on a consulting project to help revitalize the Dance Theatre of Harlem's touring company. Pictured in the background is Arthur Mitchell, founder of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, who taught master classes at SMU in the spring. For more information, including a video of the sessions: www.smu.edu/newsinfo/videos/master-dance-nov2006....
Enchanted Learners
Associate Professor of Art History Adam Herring (center) uses the St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ranchos de Taos to illustrate his lecture on church architecture of New Mexico. The course was one of several for adult learners presented through the SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute last summer. Taught by SMU faculty, class topics focus on the unique geology; archaeology; literary, artistic and cultural traditions; and scientific importance of Northern New Mexico, as well as recreational activities. The 2008 Cultural Institute is scheduled for July 17-20. For more information: www.smu.edu/culturalinstitute....
Food, Fun, Fellowship
Alumni and their families munched on burgers from Burger House at the Boulevard before the Mustangs' season opener September 3 against Texas Tech University. At every home game the Office of Alumni Relations sponsors a tent that offers free food provided by popular area restaurants....
Power Of Inclusion
Energy industry leader and entrepreneur Bobby Lyle ('67) spoke with students about the importance of inclusiveness at the 2007 President's Leadership Summit in April. "Leadership is sharing," said Lyle, whose long service to SMU has included a stint as interim dean of the Cox School of Business and current membership on the Board of Trustees. "Don't put yourself in a 'we and they' position. Put yourself in an 'us' position, and don't be afraid to share."...
Ones to Watch: Breaking An Ankle Is Good Luck For Actress
In theatre, even breaking an ankle can be good luck. Ask Wrenn Schmidt (’05), whose own such accident indirectly led to a spot with the national touring company of Edward Albee’s “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” The production, featuring Bill Irwin and Kathleen Turner from their Broadway roles as George and Martha, began a five-city tour in January at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The show also travels to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Tucson through May.
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Taking Aim At Stomach Cancer With New Technology
At 26, Alonso Gutierrez (’03) is fulfilling his dream of applying the principles of science to patients’ needs. A medical physics Ph.D. student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he is developing new technology to make radiation therapy more effective in treating cancers of the stomach.
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While They Last: Summer Class Acts In Taos
Because of its popularity, the SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute has added a second weekend of short informal courses for adults July 19-22. The new classes will be led by SMU professors and other experts on topics such as the geology of Northern New Mexico, the literature of D.H. Lawrence, Latino politics of the Southwest, petroglyphs as historic images, as well as fine art photography and wines of New Mexico.
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Passport To Learning: 2007 Alumni Travel Programs
There is still time to travel and learn with SMU. The following trips remain in the 2007 Alumni Travel Education Program (dates subject to change). For more information, contact Alumni Relations.
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SMU Honors Alumni
SMU honored five outstanding graduates at the 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award ceremonies. Recipients were (from left) investment banker and volunteer Paul Bass (’57), artist and former SMU trustee John Nieto (’59), Houston businessman Jerry LeVias (’69), and former Texas Supreme Court Justice Craig T. Enoch (’72, ’75). Houston attorney and volunteer Denise Scofield (’89) received the Emerging Leader Award. For more information, visit smu.edu/daa....
Masterminding His Path To Success
Since earning his Executive M.B.A. from the Cox School of Business in 2006, Erin Patton has found new ways to understand markets and cultures. During the past year, Patton has launched an innovative market research study, developed a $14.98 sneaker, written a book, and taught a course at Cox – while growing TMG, the market intelligence consulting firm he founded in 2001. TMG stands for The Mastermind Group. “I surround myself with very smart, talented and committed advisers and employees,” Patton says. Patton’s team, based in New York with offices in Dallas and Los Angeles, has counseled Fortune 500 companies...
Mustangs in Houston
About 2,000 Mustang fans turned out in force for the SMU-Rice football game November 25 in Houston. More than 400 SMU supporters attended a brunch at the Omni Riverway Hotel, as well as a tailgate party at Rice Stadium. The Owls beat the Mustangs 31-27....
Turning Vacations Into "Voluntours"
They help Buddhist monks teach poor children in Thailand, make wheelchairs for victims of Vietnam-era landmines in Laos and build stoves to save families from respiratory illness in Peru. And during their trips abroad, Globe Aware volunteers also find time to be tourists. In 2000 Kimberly Haley-Coleman (M.A., art history, ’97) founded Globe Aware, a Dallas-based nonprofit organization. The group sponsors weeklong volunteer-work vacations in Costa Rica, Cuba, Nepal, Brazil, Vietnam and Cambodia. As its executive director, she runs the “nonpolitical, nonreligious” organization with two principles in mind. “We promote cultural awareness, which means we work to appreciate both the...
Una Noche en el Teatro
Alumna Diana Aguirre (’96), second from left, joined (from left) Meadows School of the Arts staff member Kris Muñoz Vetter and Dean José Antonio Bowen and Fernando Salazar of SMU’s Multicultural Student Affairs office at a reception before the Spanish-language staging of Lope de Vega’s “La Discreta Enamorada” in December. The Meadows Theatre version updated the 1606 comedy to take place in Paris of the 1950s, featuring period music and dance and costumes based on the works of Spanish fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga. Performances were presented in both English and Spanish with two casts....
Taking Care Of Business In An Emerging Democracy
Lance Bozman (’85) has grown comfortable with being uncomfortable. The managing director of AIG/Lincoln Hungary, a commercial real estate company in Budapest, he says the business and cultural environment is “so completely different from Dallas that every day is a learning experience.” In planning and developing projects such as the high-tech InfoPark and the M1 Business Park, “I’ve had a front-row seat to history,” Bozman says. Since 1998, when he moved to Budapest to put together the InfoPark deal, “it’s been an unbelievable journey watching these countries move from a centrally controlled government to a free market.” Bozman also is...
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Hilltop on the Hill
Juniors Katie Gage (far left) and Steven Chlapecka (far right) networked with Trisha Gregory (’04) and Julie Terrell (’05) (center) at a Washington, D.C., alumni reception in October as part of “Hilltop on the Hill,” a weeklong program sponsored by SMU’s Division of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs. CCPA students meet D.C.-area alumni, public officials and communications professionals to learn behind the scenes from staff ranging from the White House to Capitol Hill. Student blogs can be read at smu.edu/adventures....
Renovated Facility Serves Faculty and Alumni
SMU’s campus has been the site of numerous memorable occasions – and with the reopening of its historic and newly renovated Faculty Club, University alumni now can make Hilltop memories with their own special events.
Founded in 1921 as a social club for male faculty members to enjoy games of pool and bridge, the SMU Faculty Club merged with the Women’s Faculty Club in 1963. Remodeled and redecorated in 2006, the club provides an inviting setting for University programs and activities as well as private social and business events.
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He's True Red And Blue
Jim Caswell (’63, ’66, ’70), vice president for student affairs, visited with DJ Pierce (’03) at the reception for former student leaders during Homecoming weekend. He is retiring after serving SMU for 48 years in numerous capacities.