SMU’s celebration of the written word organized by students and SMU Program Council began in 1975. Former SMU English professor Jack Myers recalls the early years in his essay, “Personal recollections of the SMU Literary Festival: 1975-1995,” which was published in From High on the Hilltop: Marshall Terry’s History of SMU. Jack Myers writes:…Continue Reading SMU Literary Festival celebrates 50 years
SMU football fans are celebrating the team’s first ACC season with a playoff against Penn State University this week. The Mustangs and Nittany Lions have only met twice in their long history. The 1948 Cotton Bowl Classic ended in a tie, and Penn State won the 1978 game at home. SMU’s first football game…Continue Reading Pony Up! Over a century of SMU football
Everyone who had the chance to know Joan Gosnell immediately loved her. I first encountered Joan during my first year as a student at SMU, when I asked if she might be able to find any information on my great-grandfather who lived in Dallas. In a move that would surprise nobody who has worked with…Continue Reading Remembering Joan Gosnell, SMU Treasure
When the SMU Mustangs play the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Durham, N.C., it will be only the third time the two programs have met on the gridiron. SMU and Duke met for the very first time on Sept. 26, 1952, in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. SMU lost 14-7 in…Continue Reading SMU vs Duke, 1952
Robert T. Anderson was an internationally renowned organist who taught at Southern Methodist University from 1960-1996. He was also the organist for Perkins Chapel during his distinguished career at SMU. Robert Theodore Anderson was born 90 years ago on October 5 in Chicago, Illinois, and began studying piano at age 5 and organ at the…Continue Reading Remembering Robert T. Anderson
Last April, I learned that the Southern Methodist University Archives would move and go into storage during the construction of the Rees-Jones Library of the American West. Although I am excited about a new building, new storage for historical material, and new exhibit space, I was also apprehensive. Moving an archives is a complex project….Continue Reading Moving and Storing the SMU Archives
The DeGolyer Library lost a shining light and mentor on March 18. Gerry York, 87, class of 58, Southern Methodist University sports historian, fan, volunteer, and loving husband, father, and grandfather, died from complications from a stroke. Almost 25 years ago, Gerry and Ed Wisneski created Heritage Hall, a museum documenting SMU’s athletics history and…Continue Reading Gerry York — A Team Player
It started, as these things do, with a conversation. Jill Kelly, history professor, had an idea that she shared with Cindy Boeke, digital collections librarian, and me, the SMU university archivist. Jill said, “What do you think about having a history intern use Zoom to interview students about their experiences during this time of Covid-19?”…Continue Reading Documenting Student Life during Covid-19
It all started with a question….Cole Suttle is pursuing a Master of Arts in Design and Innovation and was working on a project about the Dallas Shakespeare Club. He asked “Where are the lamps that were donated by the Shakespeare Club on Campus?” This was easily answered, but I went outside to double check. Most people…Continue Reading Turn On the Lights
Marsh Terry, also known as “Mr. SMU,” was born this day–February 7. He was a long-term friend of the DeGolyer Library. For a while, he even had an office (Room 318) here. Marsh graduated from SMU. Marsh worked at SMU. Marsh taught at SMU. And Marsh wrote about SMU. From High on the Hilltop is…Continue Reading Remembering Marsh Terry