A new study published in Science challenges long-held assumptions about the origins of syphilis and related diseases. By sequencing the genome of a Treponema pallidum strain found in the remains of a man who lived approximately 5,500 years ago in present-day Colombia, researchers have identified the oldest genetically sequenced example of the bacterium to date. […]
A recent Candy’s Dirt article highlights the growing debate over the future of Dallas City Hall, the iconic I.M. Pei–designed building at 1500 Marilla Street. City leaders are weighing whether to invest significant funds to repair the aging structure or relocate city offices as part of broader downtown redevelopment efforts. Preservation advocates argue that City […]
As Dedman College continues to build momentum under new leadership and a shared sense of purpose, we recently sat down with Jon Altschuler ’94, chair of the Dedman Executive Board, to talk about where the College is headed—and why this moment matters. Jon has served on the Executive Board since 2014 and brings more than […]
When Alexa Lipsky began her undergraduate studies at SMU, she stepped into a Biophysical Sciences program designed to prepare students for the rigor of medicine and scientific research. She also became part of something even more distinctive: one of the first students selected for the SMU–UT Southwestern Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program. Launched through the vision […]
New Year’s with George Washington: Despair and DefianceNew research by SMU professor Alexis McCrossen reveals how New Year’s Day marked critical moments of resolve, leadership and renewal in George Washington’s life. The article draws from McCrossen’s forthcoming book, How the New Year Became the Time of Your Life: A History, which explores how Americans have […]
DALLAS (SMU) Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 – The Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture at SMU announces Thomas Chatterton Williams will keynote its twentieth annual MLK Day Symposium. The event will be in partnership with and held at St. Paul United Methodist Church (1816 Routh Street, Dallas, 75201) on Monday, January 19, at 6 pm. […]
TIME Magazine has again highlighted SMU’s impact on developing influential leaders, naming the University to its 2026 list of top U.S. institutions that help shape the nation’s rising decision-makers. The recognition places SMU among 125 universities linked to graduates who go on to drive progress in business, government, research, education, the arts, and other fields. […]
The federal government has signaled potential tariff reductions on select imports from Latin America, a move aimed at easing the cost pressures consumers have seen on everyday items. Economists say the impact will vary across products: prices for goods the U.S. does not produce—such as coffee and bananas—could soften modestly, while domestically sourced items like […]
Washington, DC – Avshalom M. Schwartz, assistant professor of political science at Southern Methodist University, has been honored as a term member of the American Academy of Sciences and Letters. Term membership, which extends for five years, is awarded to early-to-mid-career scholars in recognition of outstanding scholarly achievement. Term members were recognized during the investiture ceremony […]
New analysis of Texas’ constitutional amendment election shows significantly higher voter turnout than usual for an odd-year contest — and SMU political science professor Cal Jillson says national political dynamics likely played a major role. Nearly 3 million Texans cast ballots statewide, with Dallas County turnout reaching 16%, far exceeding expectations and adding more than […]