SMU's Guild of Marshals includes the Chief Marshal, platform and ceremony marshals, faculty marshals, procession marshals, and school marshals. The Chief Marshal recruits members of the faculty to help organize and lead students, faculty, alumni and platform party members during each of our academic ceremonies. Many marshals graciously serve our students and our University at ceremonies year after year.
Chief Marshal
Professor Jodi Cooley-Sekula,
Presiding Chief Marshal to the University.
SMU’s Chief Marshal is a prestigious appointment by the Office of the Provost to oversee and direct the annual academic ceremonies - Opening Convocation, Rotunda Recessional, December Commencement, Spring Rotunda Passage, Honors Convocation, Baccalaureate, and May Commencement. The Chief Marshal is selected from among the faculty to lead the university in its most cherished traditions. The Chief Marshal is chosen based on proven leadership skills, patience, attention to detail, and his or her ability to garner excitement and anticipation for each ceremony. He or she is tasked with leading the academic procession and acting as the institution’s chief protocol officer, while maintaining the level of elegance for which SMU ceremonies have become known.
A Message from Chief Marshal Jodi Cooley
Academic Ceremonies are a very important part of the SMU experience, creating memories that will always remain with us. They represent the hopes and aspirations of a beginning class (Opening Convocation), celebration of outstanding academic achievements (Honors Day Convocation), the culmination of academic careers (Baccalaureate), and the fulfillment and joy of receiving degrees well earned (Commencement). The Guild of Marshals is honored and pleased to be a part of bringing you these ceremonies that honor our students and their academic achievements. To our graduating students we offer our very best wishes for many years of happiness and continued success.
Marshal Service Awards
3-9 Ceremonies Served |
Lapel Pin |
10-14 Ceremonies Served |
Paperweight |
15-24 Ceremonies Served |
Coaster |
25+ Ceremonies Served |
Crystal Award |
25+ Ceremonies Served and 30+ years of Service |
Added to the Perpetual Plaque which hangs in the Laura Lee Blanton Building |
Partial roster of active and past members of the Guild of Marshals:
- Nathan S. Balke
- Richard S. Barr
- Charles Besio
- Lackland H. Bloom, Jr.
- Barry Bryan
- Bradley Kent Carter
- Jing Cao
- Olga Lopez Valero Colbert
- Darryl Dickson-Carr
- Jeff Chalk
- Jodi Cooley
- Jennifer L. Dworak
- Thomas B. Fomby
- Brian “Squirrel” Eiserloh
- Edward J. Fox
- Ping Gui
- Michael Hahsler
- Kathy Jean Hayes
- Roy L. Heller
- George W. Holden
- Lorn Howard
- Richard S. Jones
- Peter-J.E. Noble
- Lynn Romejko Jacobs
- Barbara W. Kincaid
- Joseph F. Kobylka
- Maribeth Kuenzi
- Robert Lawson
- James Lake
- Alexis M. McCrossen
- Brian Molanphy,
- Mark Nausha
- Eli V. Olinick
- Thomas Osang
- Tony Pederson
- Miguel Quinones
- Nancy Roberts
- Stephen Robertson
- Luke Robinson
- David Rosenfield
- David Sedman
- Dennis M. Simon
- Brian W. Stump,
- Thomas W. Tunks
- Pia D. Vogel
- Ben Voth
- John G. Wise
- Wayne A. Woodward
- Paul Yovanoff