NEW STAFF
Nancy Skochdopole - Assistant Registrar
Melissa Stanford - Student Records
Nada El-Sayed - Information Systems (Joe P's Team)
STAFF LEAVING PROMOTIONS Birthdays
Kathy Rowe - Dec 3
Charmissa Ajakaije - Dec 10
Courtney Barrett - Dec 18
Laura Del Rio - Dec 19
Pam Fincher - Dec 22
Stanley Stubblefield - Dec 25
Shannon Grandberry - Dec 26
Rocky Rubalcava - Dec 27
Anna Gomez - 10 years! Blanton Celebrates The first time the Blanton family came together after the
building's dedication was before
the winter break in 2004. Traditionally the areas in Enrollment Services
and later the Division as awhole, had a pot luck lunch to celebrate the holidays.
But the move to Blanton provided a wonderful opportunity to bring together all
of the Blanton family -- ITS, SMU-in-Taos, the International Center, and
Enrollment Services. Associate Provost Tom Tunks hosts the event each year and
provides the food. (yes, he cooks all night . . . with his SMU catering
elves!) This year over 175 joined in the Blanton meeting rooms for food
and fellowship. The DES holiday lunch has developed several tradition
included entertainment. This year the Blanton Holiday Lunch was graced by
violin music provided by Catalina Aguirre. Catalina, a temporary staff
member in SFS, played a mix of holiday
songs and classical music. This added greatly to the festivities. Another tradition is holiday giving. People of all
faiths feel that giving to others is an important part of their most significant
holidays. The Blanton staff has included this in each holiday luncheon.
The Westridge Nursing Home in Lancaster was suggested by Jackie Wilborn, manager
in Academic Records. Westridge houses 85
seniors who are cared for and provided medical assistance. The Blanton family collected
toiletry items and made greeting cards for the residents. Jackie will
deliver the items to Westridge and share our good wishes for the new year. The fellowship is evident with the volume of conversation
from the guests. The delicious food is a good draw, but the staff also see
this as a time to catch up with others they do not see often. One of our
guest, Dr. Lori White, Vice President of Student Affairs, offered the
invocation. She now is a permanent part of our Blanton Holiday family and
our traditions at this time of year. From the Blanton Family to you --
Anniversaries
have a joyous and safe
holiday.
Some of our VIPs this month are:
Jerrod Harrell - I
wanted to thank and recognize one of your employees, Jerrod Harrell, for his
help last week. My daughter had a registration problem during Spring
enrollment and Jerrod went the extra mile so that our daughter's account could
be cleared and she could register on time. Jerrod made several phone calls
on her behalf and even called me to provide an update on the situation.
The personalized attention that a student receives at SMU is very much
appreciated -- our family's experience is just one example of the wonderful
support each student receives. Please express our appreciation and thanks
to Jerrod. Thank you. Happy Dad!
December Graduation
December Graduation takes another step in 2007 by moving the ceremony to Moody
Coliseum. Attendance in December has increased from a few hundred
undergraduates in 1995 when the ceremony was called a recognition, to 2006 when McFarlin Auditorium hosted two graduate/professional
ceremonies and one undergraduate ceremony. Even with three events, a small
number of guests watched the program in the Hughes-Trigg Theatre through a
simulcast.
The December 2007 Graduation ceremony combined parts of Commencement and
the Diploma Ceremonies of the May event. Moody Coliseum is set up as it is
for commencement and the ceremony mirrors the program through the hooding of the Ph.D and D.E
graduates. In December the masters, professional, and undergraduate
students are announce and congratulated as they walk across the stage, are handed a
diploma cover and greeted by the school deans and Dr. Turner. Students receive their
diploma's in the mail after January 10, 2008.
Over 700 students were conferred degrees in December 2007. Provost Paul Ludden,
in his remarks at the ceremony, stated that these degrees will "amplify" the
graduate's talents and skills but that this is only the beginning. He
challenged each to use their education to amplify their own lives. How each does will amplify
others through education, science, engineering, law, business, the ministry, and
the arts.
Music was a highlight of December Graduation. The Imperial Brass played,
providing just the right amount of pomp and entertainment. The group is
composed of local musician who play in area symphony orchestras but enjoy being
a part of a brass ensemble in the off hours. Graduating senior Jaime Pesantes shared his
fantastic voice with the audience singing America the Beautiful and
Varsity.
December Graduation 2007 is a pilot. The 2 hour and 5 minute ceremony will
be evaluated to assist in future planning. SMU is committed to making every graduation memorable
for our graduating students, their families, and guests.
For more on Academic Ceremonies go to:
http://www.smu.edu/registrar/ and
click on the ceremony of your choice.
Important Dates
Quotation of the Month
SMU Trivia
Question
Answer New Look for
Pat Woods, the University Bursar, accomplished a long term goal when the new
Bursar website went online recently. The staff of Student Financial
Services (SFS) spent months reviewing websites from benchmark and consortium
school with which SMU is similar. Each month one of the senior managers in
SFS navigated through a website pointing to innovative features or designs that
were attractive as well as user friendly. These ideas were evaluated and
some selected for inclusion in the new site. Pat and her staff developed a
wish list for the site.
Because of the talent of Enrollment Services webmaster Paley Wu, these ideas
have been transformed into reality. Using the university template, Paley
integrated the needs and desires of SFS into an effective site that provides
students and their families with important information on their student accounts.
The staff is enthusiastic. "Wonderful, fantastic, easy
to use, beautiful, WOW" and many, many statements of gratitude for Paley's work
are among their comments.
Please take the time to look at the Bursar Website at
http://www.smu.edu/bursar/ . You
will agree with the staff that this presents SMU in a great way. Praise
should be directed to Paley and suggestions to Damon Wilkins.
N
Academic Ceremonies unveiled a new logo for December Graduation 2007. The
logo (pictured above) appears on materials related to Academic Ceremonies and
was worn on grey sweaters of the staff working the December Graduation Ceremony.
The reaction was very positive. Staff felt that the logo and sweater
presented a professional look and was welcome on a cold night. Graduates
participating in the ceremony received a two pen set in a box adorned with the
logo. Another nice touch to acknowledge the achievement of our graduates.
To Have a Great
Holiday Break
Dec. 10-15 -
Examinations
Dec. 15 - Graduation
Dec. 24-28 -
Winter Break
Jan. 7 - Residence Halls Open
Jan.15 - First Day of
Classes
Jan. 21 - Martin Luther King Holiday
Jan. 22 - Last day to
Enroll
Mar. 10-15 - Spring Break
The wise person possesses
humility. He know that his small island of knowledge is surrounded by a
vast sea of the unknown.
Harold C. Chase
None. SMU has never had a name change.
Bursar Website
Academic Ceremonies