The Second Century Celebration

Centennial Events

The following have been designated special centennial events as part of SMU's Second Century Celebration. Mark your calendar for these events and return to this site for more event details and registration information as events are added throughout the celebration.

Spring 2013 and beyond

Various Dates Centennial Academic Programs for 2012-2013
February 8, 2013  

Exhibit Opening: "Linda Darnell: From Dallas to Hollywood-Selections form the Jeff Gordon Collection"

Location: Hamon Arts Library, Hawn Gallery & O'Donnell Lecture Hall

Reception: 6 p.m.; Lecture: 7 p.m.

For more information contact Sam Ratcliff at: sratclif@mail.smu.edu            

April 18-20, 2013 Founders' Day Weekend 2013
April 11, 2014 Founders' Day 2014
April 17, 2015 Founders' Day 2015
April 15, 2016 Founders' Day 2016 
April 15, 2016  Dedication of Crain Family Centennial Promenade 
Past events
January 20, 2011

Grand opening: Café 100, Proudly Brewing Starbucks Coffee. Learn more

Book signing: In Honor of the Mustangs: A History of SMU Athletics, 1911-2010. Learn more

January 31-May 13, 2011

Exhibit: Hidden Treasures of the Mary McCord/Edyth Renshaw Collection on the Performing Arts. Learn more

February 18, 2011

Reception: Hidden Treasures of the Mary McCord/Edyth Renshaw Collection on the Performing Arts. Learn more

April 15, 2011

Founders' Day: Official 100th Anniversary Commemorative Event. Learn more

April 20, 2011

The Moody Foundation Announcement

April 28, 2011 David B. Miller '72, '73 and Carolyn Lacy Miller Announcement
April 28, 2011   Ft. Worth Campaign Kick-off
April 29, 2011

Performance: 1911 Centennial Ice Cream Social Concert. Learn more

April 29, 2011

Performance: Unbridled Praise Reunion Concert. Learn more

May 16, 2011   Armstrong Residential Commons Announcement
May 13-14, 2011

Centennial Reunion: Class of 1961 50-Year Reunion. Learn more

June 1, 2011  Washington, D.C., Campaign Kick-off
July 4, 2011

Rotary Club of Park Cities 4th of July Parade: SMU President R. Gerald Turner will serve as the Grand Marshall. Learn more

August 21, 2011

Centennial Convocation: Welcoming the Centennial Class of 2015. Learn more

September 9, 2011  Turner Centennial Quadrangle and Pavilion
September 9, 2011 Cooper Centennial Fountain Dedication
September 9, 2011 Opening of Centennial Hall

November 3-6, 2011

Centennial Reunions*: Classes of 1966, 71, 76, 81, 86, 91, 96, 01, 06. Learn more

Centennial Homecoming 2011: Celebrating the era of the 1910s, 20s, 30s

November 3, 2011  Distinguished Alumni Award and History Makers

November 10-11, 2011

Centennial Academic Symposium: The University and the City: Higher Education and the Public Good

April 17, 2012

SMU Economic and Community Impact Event

For more information contact: smu100@smu.edu.

April 19, 2012 

Telling Our Story: 100 Years of Women at SMU/Part One

Event will celebrate the history of women's organizations on campus. Panelists will share oral histories, alumni will be honored and current members of women's campus groups will be celebrated.

4 p.m.-5:30 p.m. with reception to follow

McCord Auditorium in Dallas Hall

For more information contact Kayla Walker Edin at: kwalkeredi@smu.edu

April 20-21, 2012 Founders' Day Weekend
May 11-12, 2012 Class of 1962 50-year Golden Reunion
July 4, 2012 Park Cities 4th of July Parade
August 26, 2012  R. Gerald Turner Annual Sermon at Highland Park United Methodist Church 
September 8, 2012  Centennial Hall Open House (First Home Game)
September 29, 2012 Centennial Hall Open House and Introduction of Centennial Campus Walking Tour
October 25-28, 2012 SMU Centennial Reunions and Homecoming
October 25, 2012  Distinguished Alumni Award Dinner 
October 26, 2012 Luncheon honoring Capital Donors and Presentation of "The SMU Campus at 100"
October 26, 2012 Luncheon event, Celebrate the Centennial:Cuisine from 1911-1915
October 27, 2012  Homecoming Parade Breakfast and Grandstand Viewing 
November 18, 2012 Trains at Northpark Reception
November 28, 2012  Dallas Hall Society Dinner and Dedication of Dallas Hall Centennial Cornerstone Plaque 
November 29, 2012 

Reception, Lecture and Booksigning: Telling Our Story: 100 Years of Women at SMU, the Southwest and Beyond

DeGolyer Library

4:30 pm reception, 5 pm lecture   

December 2, 2012 Centennial Celebration of Lights

*50-year class reunion celebrations occur each spring.

Grand Opening: Café 100, Proudly Brewing Starbucks Coffee

  • Videos, photos, and stories from the event (SMU Daily Mustang)
  • January 20
  • Hughes-Trigg Student Center
  • 10 a.m.: First Official Cup featuring President Turner and Peruna
  • 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Visit your favorite SMU Celebrity Barista
  • Free Café 100 mugs, beverage and food samples throughout the day, while supplies last
  • Student-organized preview of the Second Century Celebration, hosted by Andrew Conwell, Jake Torres, Derek Hubbard and Elise McDonald

Book signing: In Honor of the Mustangs: A History of SMU Athletics, 1911-2010

Exhibit: Hidden Treasures of the Mary McCord/Edyth Renshaw Collection on the Performing Arts

Reception: Hidden Treasures of the Mary McCord/Edyth Renshaw Collection on the Performing Arts

Founders' Day: Official 100th Anniversary Commemorative Event

Performance: 1911 Centennial Ice Cream Social Concert

  • April 29
  • Caruth Auditorium, Owen Arts Center
  • 8 p.m.
  • Join the Meadows Wind Ensemble for a program celebrating the founding of SMU in 1911. The concert will feature "new" music – music that was new 100 years ago, that is! Included will be Percy Grainger's Handel in the Strand, turn-of-the-century cornet solos by Thomas Booth, Meadows faculty member and Dallas Symphony assistant principal trumpet, and Gustav Holst's Second Suite in F. The second half of the program will be held outdoors, where concertgoers can enjoy ice cream sundaes along with ragtime music by James Reese Europe and Scott Joplin, as well as marches and overtures by John Philip Sousa.
  • Buy tickets online or call the Meadows Ticket Office at 214-768-1951>
  • Meadows School of the Arts website

Unbridled Praise: Reunion Concert

  • April 29
  • Hughes-Trigg Student Center Theater
  • 7 p.m.
  • Celebrate the Voices of Inspiration's 24 years of involvement and engagement at SMU through music, fellowship and praise dancing. Concert includes a gospel choir, Voices of Inspiration alumni and guest speakers and performers from the Dallas area. Reception following concert.
  • For more information, contact Vanessa Uzoh

Centennial Reunion: Class of 1961 50-Year Reunion

  • May 13-14
  • Celebrate SMU's Centennial as a Golden Mustang! Reunion weekend will include many wonderful activities including campus tours, a special welcome by SMU President R. Gerald Turner, a memorable Commencement ceremony where class members are introduced for the first time as Golden Mustangs, a special lunch where Golden Mustang pins will be presented and an amazing class party.
  • Click here for more information, or call SMU Reunion Programs at 214-768-9327 or 1-800-766-4371

Centennial Convocation: Welcoming the Centennial Class of 2015

  • August 21
  • McFarlin Auditorium
  • 5:30 p.m.
  • Featuring President R. Gerald Turner's Centennial address to the SMU community
  • Class of 2015 website