SMU celebrates Founders’ Day

DALLAS (SMU) – SMU celebrates Founders’ Day Weekend April 18 – 20 with events ranging from the official ceremony welcoming the George W. Bush Presidential Center, to musical performances, to special activities for families. The weekend celebrates the centennial of SMU’s founding in 1911 and its opening in 1915 and highlights the achievements and contributions of SMU students, faculty and alumni.

Friday, April 19

A Centennial Celebration, 11 a.m., April 19
Main Quadrangle

SMU will welcome the George W. Bush Presidential Center at a ceremony on the Main Quadrangle hosted by the SMU Board of Trustees, President R. Gerald Turner and the Second Century Celebration Organizing Committee.

 

In tribute to former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush, the SMU Board of Trustees will present to SMU’s DeGolyer Library a rare manuscript by explorer John Maley – the four millionth volume acquired by SMU libraries since its first acquisition in 1913. The 188-page journal describes Maley’s 1808-1812 exploration of the Louisiana Purchase in areas that later became Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and Louisiana.

 

Picnic with the Profs, noon
Clements Hall Lawn

The SMU Faculty Senate will host a picnic with SMU professors on the lawn of Clements Hall. Lunch is complimentary for Inside SMU participants, but open to others.

Inside SMU, 1:30 to 5 p.m.
Hughes-Trigg Student Center Theater

An afternoon of enriching classes for alumni, parents and friends begins with an expert’s look at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum presented by its director, Alan Lowe. In addition, participants will select among three panel discussions led by faculty members:

• “The God Particle: Scientific Discovery and Its Impact on Human Existence”

• “Is Access to Health Care an American Right or Privilege?”
• “Educating America Through the Power of Creativity”

President’s Briefing, 6 p.m.
Hughes-Trigg Student Center

SMU President R. Gerald Turner will discuss the highlights of the last year and opportunities ahead in this event hosted by the SMU Alumni Board.

SMU Student Musical Performances

• Sing Song, 7:30 p.m.
  McFarlin Auditorium

Sing Song, a musical theatre competition among students, celebrates its 25th anniversary. Click here for tickets.

• Meadows Wind Ensemble Concert, 8 p.m.
  Caruth Auditorium

Attend the world premiere of music composed by SMU’s John Wesley Gibson for the opening of the George W. Bush Presidential Center. Click here for tickets.

Family Day and Fan Fair

SMU’s Family Day and Fan Fair will feature activities ranging from creating glittering Venetian masks to meeting SMU football players and coaches.

• Family Day and Open House, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  Meadows Museum

At Meadows Museum, young artists will search for European landmarks on a scavenger hunt through the details of the museum exhibit “Impressions of Europe: 19th-Century Vistas by Martín Rico.” Like Rico, they will paint landscapes plein air, or on location at the Meadows Museum plaza. Strolling dancers and musicians will set the mood.

Visit the first retrospective exhibit of the work of Spanish painter Martín Rico y Ortega,  “Impressions of Europe: Nineteenth-Century Vistas by Martín Rico,”part of the continuing collaboration between the Meadows Museum and the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid.

• Fan Fair, 9 a.m. to noon
  Pettus Practice Field

Young sports lovers can sample an SMU Mustang football practice and meet players and Coach June Jones at the Mustang Fan Fair at the Pettus Practice Field adjacent to Meadows Museum. Boys and girls ages 6 through eighth grade also may participate in an NFL Pass, Punt & Kick program. Participants must bring a valid birth certificate and wear soft gym shoes, not cleats. Visit http://www.nflppk.com/.

    

Media Contact:
Nancy George
214-768-7674 or 972-965-3769
ngeorge@smu.edu

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