New photo book captures beauty and spirit of SMU campus

DALLAS (SMU) – SMU has published its first book of campus images in 25 years as part of its Second Century Celebration.

The 160-page book, SMU: Unbridled Vision, features more than 200 new color photographs, combined with selected historic images, showing the beauty and vitality of the campus experience. SMU’s Second Century Celebration extends from 2011, the 100th anniversary of the University’s founding, to 2015, the centennial of its opening.

A publication event will be held at the SMU Barnes & Noble (3060 Mockingbird Lane) on Friday, November 4, from 4-6 p.m., and will be scheduled at other locations in the near future.

SMU: Unbridled Vision also features an essay on the University’s founding and quotes from key SMU presidents through the years, along with commentary by centennial committee co-chairs and trustees Carl Sewell (SMU class of 1966) and Ruth Collins Sharp Altshuler (’48). An essay by SMU President R. Gerald Turner focuses on current strengths, building on the values of the Church and city leaders who partnered to establish the University. Facts about SMU today and photo captions with current and historical information also are featured.

“The book not only shows off the incredible beauty of the campus, but it also communicates the strong momentum of SMU going forward,” Sewell said. “It’s all about the quality of the setting that serves the increasingly high academic goals and achievements of our faculty and students. The campus is a tremendous physical and intellectual asset for the entire community.”

“In this book you can see the strength of President Turner’s vision to provide an academic environment second to none,” Altshuler said. “Sometimes you can look at a familiar setting every day and not truly see its beauty. This book gives a close-up look at the people and places that make SMU special.”

The book was underwritten by Tolleson Wealth Management of Dallas. “We appreciate the generosity of Debra and John Tolleson (’70) in underwriting this project,” said President Turner. “They are enabling us to highlight the University’s inspirational setting for learning – a combination of our architectural tradition and the recent campus facilities serving new generations of students.” John Tolleson is a longtime benefactor and member of the SMU Board of Trustees.

Principal photography for the book was taken by award-winning SMU photographer Hillsman S. Jackson, joined by 13 other professionals who provided new images. The editorial and production team consisted of nationally recognized editors, writers and designers from SMU’s Office of Public Affairs in the Division of Development and External Affairs, led by Vice President Brad E. Cheves. The book was printed by The Williamson Printing Corporation of Dallas, headed by CEO Jerry B. Williamson (’61 and ’65) and President Jesse S. Williamson (’70), and was published by The Book Foundry of Allen, Texas.

“We are especially pleased to have printed this book with alumni in Dallas and appreciate the extraordinary care and concern for quality that The Williamson Printing Corporation devoted to this project,” Cheves said. “The book also shows the impact of recent major gifts campaigns, which have added new facilities for academic and campus life programs.”

The book is available at the SMU Barnes & Noble Bookstore on Mockingbird Lane in Dallas; Gameday Cloth in Plano; Madison in Highland Park Village, Dallas; Suzanne Roberts in Snider Plaza, Dallas; and online at www.smu100book.com and Amazon.com. Cost is $59.95 each.

For information on other activities related to SMU’s Second Century Celebration, see www.smu.edu/100.

SMU is a nationally ranked private university in Dallas founded 100 years ago. Today, SMU enrolls nearly 11,000 students who benefit from the academic opportunities and international reach of seven degree-granting schools.

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