Adam Gannon ’15 (right) was among more than 100 undergraduate students participating in SMU’s Engaged Learning program in 2015. He is shown with Svetlana Radyuk, research associate professor of biological sciences in Dedman College. Gannon, a medical student at the University of Houston Medical Science Center, is continuing the Alzheimer’s disease research he started as an Engaged Learning project. SMU celebrated the Year of the Student in 2015, honoring students past and present who have shaped a 100-year tradition of excellence.
Snow transformed the SMU campus into a winter wonderland.
Fans filled Moody Coliseum to witness SMU Men’s Basketball beat Tulsa, 67-62, capturing the American Athletic Conference championship. It was SMU’s first conference title since 1993. The Mustangs beat Connecticut 62-54 on March 15, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. During the season SMU spent nine weeks in the AP and USA Today Top 25.
Fanfare and fireworks marked the 50th anniversary of the Meadows Museum during Founders’ Day Weekend, April 16-18. As part of the yearlong celebration, the museum hosted two blockbuster exhibits – “The Abelló Collection: A Modern Taste for European Masters”, April 18–August 2, and “Treasures from the House of Alba: 500 Years of Art and Collecting”, which continues through January 3, 2016.
Students enjoyed games, rides, activities and carnival-inspired food at Perunapalooza, celebrating the birthday of SMU mascot Peruna.
Scenes from SMU’s historic Commencement: Former President George W. Bush (left) with SMU President R. Gerald Turner. Bush delivered a speech laced with wit and wisdom before the University awarded more than 2,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees.
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama displays his famous sense of humor as he peeks through the curtain before taking the stage at Moody Coliseum with ABC News political correspondent Cokie Roberts, who moderated a wide-ranging discussion with the spiritual leader. The Dalai Lama spoke about the importance of compassion, forgiveness and finding common ground despite differences.
Courses offered at SMU-in-Taos Cultural Institute, July 16-19, took full advantage of the beauty and cultural richness of Northern New Mexico. During the weekend, SMU celebrated the opening of the Carolyn and David Miller Campus Center, a new campus/community hub.
At Camp Corral, part of the Mustang Corral experience, incoming students got to know each other as they enjoyed zip-lining and other activities. Members of SMU’s newest class of 1,374 students come from 800 high schools in 44 states.
SMU sociology major Jamil Wilkerson ’18 lends a hand at Uplift Luna School during the University’s annual fall day of service. A group of 100 SMU students helped 10 Dallas nonprofits with a wide variety of projects, from painting and cleaning to processing books and aiding teachers.
SMU alumnus Ryan Atwell ’98 lifts daughter Sydney, 4, as SMU capped off its centennial celebration with a post-game fireworks show at Ford Stadium. From the announcement that SMU had reached its $1 billion campaign goal to the spectacular finale, SMU’s Centennial Homecoming Weekend was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Mustangs.
The University’s centennial year ends with the dazzling Celebration of Lights. The community is invited to campus to see the holiday lights through January 3.
