Category: Uncategorized

I was raised in Arkansas, a state with many natural resources. Still, however, I was blown away by the multitude of resources at SMU. “The Natural State” better watch out! It has some stiff competition!

When considering resources at SMU, the Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center (ALEC) is the first that comes to mind. The ALEC offers free tutoring services to SMU students. Coming from a small town in an impoverished school district, I knew that I would be behind a lot of students upon entering into college. I knew that I would have to seek additional support in order to level the playing field. Immediately I turned to the ALEC. The kind tutors with whom I collaborated were former students that had earned A’s in the classes. They not only knew the course content, but they also knew the relevant test tactics and professor preferences. They provided me with a competitive edge as well as with new ways for approaching knowledge and academic tasks.

In addition to the upperclassman tutors, the ALEC also has expert English faculty members in the Writing Center to assist students with writing papers. Recently, SMU commissioned a special subset of English faculty to the Scholars Den to assist students with professional school and fellowship applications. I recently utilized this resource upon writing my personal statement for medical school; I truly could not have conquered this daunting task without their expertise!

When navigating research papers and projects, it is not only wise to consult the Writing Center faculty but also the librarians and research staff members of Fondren Library. This expert team has its members on call, as well as available for private appointments. They help students develop research outlines and locate their sources within SMU’s extensive library system.

SMU has six libraries on its main campus. Fondren Library is by far the most popular, with its expert research staff, centralized location, contrasting study zones, and infamous Starbucks! Students patron Fondren numerous times a day—to meet with study partners, to retreat to special hideaways, to occupy odd gaps between classes, or to fuel up on coffee! Students can reserve private rooms for individual or group study. They can also select among an endless variety of public study spaces—from the very loud-and-social first floor to the extremely quiet-and-reclusive fourth floor. This top floor boasts a spectacular aerial view of campus and of the Dallas skyline. Another scenic study location is the Centennial Reading Room on the second floor. This glassed-in reading space is sanctioned for the most serious and sophisticated of students. Its ornate, traditional decor transports me back to my studies abroad in Oxford, England.

While Fondren Library offers much variety, SMU students have several other options for studying beyond the walls of “Club Fondy.” Students can study at the Underwood Law Library, the Bridwell Theology Library, the Hamon Arts Library, or the Cox School of Business Library. The sixth library on SMU’s campus is the George Bush Presidential Library. The George Bush Institute provides students with excellent opportunities for internships in political science, public policy, history, and economics. Outside of the library system, the residential commons also cater to students’ academic needs with their study nooks, study lounges, and classroom settings. While the commons’ classrooms are utilized by professors during the day, they are open for student use during the late night and early morning. These areas come equipped with printers, hole punchers, white boards, and projector technology.

Enough nerding out over libraries! I’d like to wrap up by giving a brief overview of the resources in our student center, rec center, and health center. The Hughes Trigg Student Center is the headquarters for our more than 200 student organizations! It is also the hub of student life at SMU. There you can find several offices and meeting spaces, as well as several dining options! Students spend their flex dollars on Chick-fil-a, Cinco Taco, Panera Bread, and the Market. The Market contains a full-service sushi bar, a gourmet popsicle stand, and a plethora of healthy, grab-and-go options! In addition to these food items, the Market also stocks school supplies, toiletries, and over-the-counter medication. Directly across from the Market is the Mail Center. Students can send and receive packages and paper mail at this location, as well as utilize the UPS drop box. Perhaps the epitome of Hughes Trigg resources is the Hegi Career Center. Hegi sets up every SMU student with an online database called Handshake, which operates similarly to a LinkedIn profile. There, students can keep track of their professional materials, while also networking with prospective employers. Hegi plans career fairs, resume workshops, and other signature events throughout the year. They prepare undergraduate students for jobs, internships, post-graduate programs, and on-campus leadership positions through their mock interview appointments and other career-related services.

The Dedman Rec Center is SMU’s three-story fitness complex. Students can freely access its facilities, as well as attend workout classes for free. The Outdoor Adventure Company belays the three-story rock-climbing wall, while also incentivizing outdoor recreation through its camping rentals and guided camping trips to nearby state parks. Dedman employs an elite team of fitness instructors and personal trainers; it even hires massage therapists during finals season to further alleviate stress and stiffness!

Finally, the Bob Smith Health Center is an incredible resource at SMU. Its three stories represent the body, mind, and soul. The first story, corresponding to the body, contains a pharmacy, dental clinic, and numerous physicians accepting patients as walk-ins or by appointment. The second story, corresponding to the mind, is the headquarters for counseling services at SMU; students can book up to eight free appointments with the clinical staff before being charged or referred. The third story, corresponding to the soul, houses a Zen Room with a massage chair, essential oil diffuser, and other features that promote meditation and relaxation!

This is by no means an exhaustive list of resources, but it contains some of my absolute favorites! These resources differ greatly from those in my home state, but they certainly fostered a more “natural” transition into the SMU community.

Pony Up!

Katherine Wright

Class of 2021

Biology & Philosophy Major | Psychology Minor

Welcome to SMU! My name is Jack Davis, and I am a current senior from Newport Beach, CA. There are seemingly endless majors here at SMU, ranging from finance in the Cox School of Business, to engineering in the Lyle School of Engineering. I, however, am a somewhat unique SMU student because there are only around 40 students in my major!

I am in the BFA Studio Art program in the Meadows School of the Arts, which only admits around 7-10 students a year. This small, intimate major has provided me with all sorts of amazing opportunities, such as collaborating and growing with my peer cohort, and the opportunity to do one-on-one classes with my art professors. What makes our major even more unique is that we are interdisciplinary, meaning that we all work in different mediums. My concertation within the BFA is film production and photography, while other BFA students focus in the areas of sculpture, drawing, painting, and digital/hybrid media.

Over the four years we have spent together, we have all become very close friends, and all have diverse interests and involvements including Greek life, campus clubs, and sports. I have been very fortunate to be able to study in this program the last four years and would highly encourage anyone interested in a rare or unique major to take a risk and pursue it!

Pony Up!

Jack MacKenzie Davis, BFA ‘21

For 43 years, Student Foundation has brought the magic of the holiday season to our campus through Celebration of Lights. This tradition takes place on the heart and soul of our campus – Dallas Hall Lawn. This year, I had the honor of serving as the Campus Events Chair for Student Foundation. My committee and I were responsible for planning the traditional ceremony as well as the holiday festivities for Celebration of Lights this year. The event began with student performers, President Turner reading the Christmas story from the Bible, and the most memorable moment of all the lights on Dallas Hall Lawn being turned on during the performance of Silent Night. Following the ceremony, there were reindeer, caricature artists, horse carriage rides, a stocking stuffing station, carolers, as well as a tent for our philanthropy, Dallas CASA, where people could write cards to the children the organization supports. All of the aspects of Celebration of Lights complied with the event guidelines posted by Student Affairs. Despite these restrictions, the night was absolutely spectacular. Everyone was able to gather in a safe manner to celebrate the successful semester we had on our campus. The tradition is an incredibly special way to say goodbye to SMU before we leave for winter break, and truly encompasses the talent and joy of our student body. In addition to Celebration of Lights, students jumped into the holiday spirit by participating in events in their residential commons and enjoying the lights on the lawn as well as around in the Dallas community. Holidays on the Hilltop are magical and got me right in the spirit to head home and spend the break with my family and friends. I can’t wait to head back to campus in 2021!

May the New Year bring you joy and rest!

Eliana Abraham

Class of 2022

Biological Sciences B.S. | Health & Society B.S.

As the flowers begin to bloom each spring on SMU’s Dallas campus, you may walk by the Cox School of Business on a warm day and notice a gaggle of sophomores in suits. Two years ago, I was one of these excited finance majors, filling my days with phone interviews and my nights with Handshake internship applications. The Avon Dry Cleaners across from SMU saw a lot of me that semester, and on more than one occasion I cleared out CVS’ collection of blister Band-Aids as my #1 accessory with my black heels.  After weeks of interviews, I accepted a job for the following summer with Citi’s Investment Banking group in Houston.

A year after my first interview, I broke out my trusty navy suit and reported for work. My Houston group of 10, along with about 100 other interns from other offices, spent our first week at training in New York City. We heard from leaders at Citi and received crash courses in Excel. Our group bonded as we navigated the subway and, most importantly, determined the best time to order Sweetgreen to avoid a line. At the end of the week, we consumed our last slices of New York pizza in Central Park before returning to JFK for our flights back to Texas.

Once in Houston, we spent nine weeks staffed onto various projects, ranging from market research to client advisory and corporate mergers. While we generally worked long hours, the summer was packed with fun events. We even had a mock Summer Olympics within our group and a dodgeball tournament between the interns from every investment bank in Houston. My favorite part of the summer was our intern group project, where each group of four built an Excel model and pitch book for a merger and presented it to our group heads. My group was chosen to present our $15 billion merger pitch to the project company’s CEO, which was an amazing experience. At the end of the summer, all ten of our summer analysts received and accepted full time offers with Citi. As I wrap up my senior year at SMU with graduation looming, I’m beyond grateful for the resources and opportunities I’ve had here, and very excited to start my full time career this summer.

Grace Powers

Class of 2020

Name: Naomi Samuel

Classification: Junior

Major: Marketing and English

Why SMU? SMU made a huge impression on me because it’s the first college I had ties to. My parents are immigrants so I knew little about American universities. I visited SMU a few times through extra credit opportunities through the International Baccalaureate program at my high school. Once I visited, I knew it was the school for me.

Favorite thing about SMU? The beautiful campus and abundance of resources.

Favorite place on campus? The Bridwell Library. I don’t go often but it’s beautiful in such an elegant way.

Words of Advice to Diverse Applicants: Reflect on what diversity means to you. Think about how comfortable you are navigating spaces where very few other people look like you. It’s not always easy, especially if you don’t come from a background that looks like SMU. It tests your confidence. It can also test your patience. It’s really up to you as an individual to decide if it’s for you. You definitely grow, but it’s no easy feat. 

Additional Highlights about your personal story: Being a business student, SMU provides unmatched opportunities in Texas. I had 100% security in my future after my first year of college, which has made me sound in my decision. 

Name: Raven Battles

Classification: Junior, Class of 2019

Major: Philosophy with an emphasis on Ethics, Law and Security with a minor in Law and Legal Reasoning

Why SMU? While SMU was not my immediate first choice, I quickly fell in love with the campus when I visited for an Admitted Student Reception day in late April. I chose to attend SMU because of the degree programs available, beautiful campus with easy access to downtown Dallas, the options to study abroad, the multiple organizations established on campus, and finally the financial incentives.

Favorite thing about SMU? My favorite things about SMU are the faculty and staff. I have had the opportunity, through running an organization and work study, to meet many individuals from administrators and assistants to dining staff and groundskeepers. They have made me feel not only welcomed but also have offered encouragement and pointed me to the resources that I needed to succeed throughout my time here. 

Favorite place on campus? My favorite spot on campus is the third floor of the Hughes-Trigg Student Center. It is the hub for student organizations and houses resources for these organizations to thrive. I find I spend a lot of time in this building, particularly on the third floor, in the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and the Student Activities Office, which among other orgs, houses Greek life.

Perspective about diversity on campus. Diversity on SMU’s campus is one of those areas that I did not see a lot of as I stepped onto campus my freshman year. However, in the short time that I have been here (3 years), it’s the area in my opinion most improved. I have had the privilege of working closely with individuals who have and are continuing to implement tools necessary in the building of diversity in student body numbers, faculty and staff hires, and the inclusion of courses made available to students who seek to learn more about diversity and cultural sensitivity. 

Words of Advice to Diverse Applicants: SMU is not the place for those who are comfortable with sitting back and coasting for the next four years. However, if you are the type who likes to see and make change happen, then this campus is a great space to do. There are active communities here fully stocked with resources and support to help you in your journey here at SMU. My advice is to find them, get involved, and don’t be afraid to redefine the labels of this school. It will not only help SMU grow, but you just might find at the end of your time here that you have grown as well.

Name: Audrey Ngo / Ngô Quế Anh

Classification: Sophomore

Major: Health & Society / French

Why SMU? Financial Opportunity + Dallas connections 

Favorite thing about SMU? Abundance of shady areas on campus to nap or read outside. 

Favorite place on campus? Bridwell Library- prettiest place to study!

Words of Advice to Diverse Applicants: Don’t let the crowd get you down- you being confident in yourself is the greatest advantage you have in any path in life.

Additional Highlights about your personal story: (i.e. scholarships, work study, ability to pay, exposure to new cultures, unique experiences, faculty, student organizations, etc.): Get involved, get involved, get involved. SMU, being a primarily white institution, provides the perfect environment for a diverse student to rise above their peers at more prestigious schools. Being involved in Student Senate, SMU Debate, a sorority, and College Democrats has given me more connections to potential careers than I ever could have imagined.