SMU’s Meadows School of the Arts paved the way toward the future of arts education with the kickoff of the Owen Arts Center renovation on November 8 during SMU Homecoming Weekend. The $34 million initiative will improve academic spaces in the north wing for visual arts, art history and creative computation, while creating grand, welcoming and accessible exterior entrances.
At the celebration, a $1.8 million challenge gift from Indianapolis philanthropist and former SMU Meadows parent G. Marlyne Sexton was announced, creating a new incentive for others to become part of this transformative project. Previously, Sexton had given $3.2 million toward the project, bringing her total commitment to $5 million.
With this new gift, Sexton encourages admirers of the arts to help the Meadows School reach the remaining $4 million needed for the revitalization of the arts hub, which will enrich the experiences of students and the commununity for years to come.
The renovation launched as the Meadows School of the Arts marks the 50th anniversary of its naming. Formally established at SMU in 1969 and named in honor of benefactor Algur H. Meadows, it is one of the foremost arts education institutions in the United States.
The commitment to excellence, entrepreneurial vision and devotion to community that Mr. Meadows embodied are captured in the reimagined Owen Arts Center, where creation and innovation will converge in new and exciting new ways.
“The improvements will serve as a catalyst for Meadows to attract the next generation of talented and diverse visual artists, art historians and multidisciplinary creatives and draw scholars and visitors from across the region and around the world,” SMU President R. Gerald Turner said. “We thank our donors for their generous support.”
Read more at SMU News.
Category: December 2019
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson will be the guest speaker at the all-University Commencement Convocation on Saturday, December 21 at 9:30 a.m. in Moody Coliseum. Degree candidates from all SMU schools and professional programs will be recognized at the ceremony, which will be streamed smu.edu/live.
Eric Johnson is the 60th mayor of Dallas, Texas, elected in June 2019. Prior to becoming mayor, Johnson served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives, where he represented the city of Dallas from April 2010 to June 2019. During his tenure in the Texas Legislature, Johnson served on 20 prominent legislative committees, including appropriations, ways and means, higher education and natural resources. He also served as chair of the Dallas Area Legislative Delegation. In addition to his service as mayor of Dallas, Johnson is an attorney and partner with the international law firm of Locke Lord LLP.
Read more about December Commencement.
Read more about December Commencement.
Men’s soccer seniors finish their SMU careers with 51 wins, three conference championships and three NCAA tournament berths.
No. 5 SMU’s season came to an end in the NCAA Elite Eight on December 6 when the Mustangs fell to No. 1 Virginia, 3-2, in overtime.
Eight-seeded SMU (18-2-1) started the match off in the right foot when it broke away from the Virginia (20-1-1) back line in the second minute, resulting in a Garrett McLaughlin chance. But the AAC First-Teamer pushed his shot just right of the post to leave the scoreboard even.
The last six minutes of regulation would be a mad dash, as both teams looked to punch their ticket to the College Cup, but neither side found a winner, and the game went to overtime.
Read more at SMU Athletics.
When it comes to giving, gifts of any size make a huge difference to our world changers. Be inspired by your fellow Mustangs, and make your donation by December 31. Thanks to all who have already made an impact!
See A Lifetime of Impact.
SMU welcomed the community to campus on December 2 to launch the holiday season. Ice skating, the story of the first Christmas and “Silent Night” sung by candlelight created a magical and memorable evening on the Hilltop.
See photos @smufacebook.
Professor Jill DeTemple teaches students how to take topics that drive people apart and reframe the conversation around personal experiences to promote understanding. Through curious questioning and thoughtful listening, students learn they don’t have to agree with their political opposites to understand where they’re coming from. Columnist Sharon Grigsby wrote about the class published for The Dallas Morning News on October 16, 2019.
EXCERPT:
Professor Jill DeTemple, in the religious studies department of SMU’s Dedman College, has developed a discussion tool, dubbed reflective structured dialogue, that she is using in her own classrooms and sharing with professors here and across the nation.
The idea is to take topics that drive people apart — gun rights, abortion, the death penalty, the existence of God — and reframe the conversation around personal experiences. Lots of weighty research underpins the technique, but at its core is curiosity about another person’s life and values.
“Tell me a story that helps me understand how you came to hold that belief,” DeTemple repeatedly says.
She uses the model throughout her teaching, but most of it is invisible to students. The exception is the occasional dialogue circle, which former students told me they approached with dread but look back on as life-altering.
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ICYMI: In Case You Missed It
Enjoy these quick links to great stories and more about the people, programs and events making an impact on the Hilltop.
Moody Magic: Get tickets for SMU vs. Georgia State on December 23
Tim Cassedy’s Figures of Speech wins national ‘First Book’ prize
Op-ed: SMU, Toyota and Dallas ISD respond to a moral imperative
SMU seeks postdoctoral researchers for new training group
See Holiday in the National Parks at the Bush Center
DeGolyer Library presents Andy Hanson: Picture Dallas, 1960–2008
Perkins celebrates three milestones with 60th Advent service
Geophysicists use sophisticated technology to unmask leak