SMU is home to the George W. Bush Presidential Center, which consists of the presidential archives, containing documents and artifacts of the Bush Administration; a museum with permanent and traveling exhibits; and an independent public policy institute.

Ground was broken on the Center on November 16, 2010, and a topping out ceremony — when the last beam was put in place — was held October 3, 2011. The Center is expected to open in spring 2013. Read more about the topping out and watch a slide show, or watch a video of the groundbreaking.

Although the opening of the physical home of the Presidential Center is still months off, its work is already well under way. Opportunities for SMU students have included classroom visits by former President George W. Bush and internships at the Bush Center. Students and faculty also have participated in conferences at SMU sponsored by The Bush Institute. Topics have included education leadership, educating the women and girls of Afghanistan, natural gas development, and the use of technology by cyber-dissidents to promote democracy. Student groups also have toured the Bush library materials site in Lewisville, outside Dallas.

More about the George W. Bush Presidential Center's website.