Statement on racial and social injustice
This is a painful time for our country again as we grapple with the virulent and continuing threat of racism, as well as the violence that often mars legitimate mass public protest. Our SMU community grieves with the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. For many in our University community, these deaths are intensely personal and salt to ancient wounds.
We intend to be open in fall 2020
I am pleased to announce that SMU intends to safely open our University for on-campus teaching, learning and student living for the fall semester. We are looking forward to delivering the unique academic experience that defines SMU, and to rekindling the energy our students bring to campus.
How SMU computer science professors are using their resources to help find a coronavirus vaccine
What if university computer scientists, biologists and historians collaborated to use modern artificial intelligence and machine learning to examine a massive trove of infectious disease research papers, text mining for abstract patterns, elusive insights and hard-to-spot trends related to COVID-19 and the coronavirus family of viruses?
Celebrate your SMU degree now and in August
Please watch this video message from President R. Gerald Turner and Chief Faculty Marshal Tom Fomby as they anticipate SMU’s August 15 Commencement Convocation. Then, read more about how we are harnessing video to help students celebrate their Hilltop memories, and find out about two extraordinary individuals who will be featured at the August ceremony.
Mustangs Keep Going
One thing we’ve learned during the COVID-19 pandemic – the SMU community is even more collaborative and creative than we had imagined.
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SMU collaborators help community nonprofit pivot to e-commerce
When outdoor markets shut down, Restorative Farms had to retool its efforts quickly to stay afloat. It’s now selling seedlings online as GroBoxes.
Two SMU student teams win grants to prepare for safe return to campus
Student teams propose symptom-tracker apps, wellness recovery rooms, hands-free door-opening devices and an app for contact-free transactions.
Three days, 22 hours, 85 concerts
Alum band director plays Plano High fight song for each of his seniors
Jason Lewis ’04 and his assistant band directors traveled 168 miles and played in sunshine and pouring rain to show their appreciation to each band graduate.
SMU prof tracks the sound of silence
Noise levels in DFW down 30% during pandemic
It’s not your imagination – we’ve been generating a lot less noise during the pandemic, says SMU seismologist Stephen Arrowsmith.
Maguire Public Service Fellows to help at-risk communities
Students’ efforts will focus on research and programs related to the COVID-19 pandemic
This summer, 10 SMU undergraduate and graduate students will serve as Maguire Public Service Fellows, with much of their work focused on research and programs related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A final project tailored to this time
Students reach out to Italians to learn about their lives during the pandemic
In a video that’s heartwarming, funny and even musical, SMU students demonstrate fluency in empathy and awareness as they converse with new friends in hard-hit Italy.
Picuris Pueblo near SMU-in-Taos fights COVID-19
Native American community embraces extraordinary isolation measures
The pueblo of just 200 members has had several close brushes with annihilation, says SMU archaeologist and director of SMU-in-Taos Mike Adler. Smallpox reduced the population from 2,500 to 500 in the 1600s.
Music therapy students deliver telehealth services
Improvising with kitchen utensil instruments and writing original songs
Meadows School students are using HIPAA-compliant Zoom accounts to tune in weekly with clients, aiding their physical and mental health via live music, talking, singing, playing instruments and movement.
Alum's film debuts on Amazon Prime
The Girls of Summer is a coming-of-age story with ‘lots of improv moments’
Tori Titmas ’15 wrote, produced and stars in the movie she made with members of her real-life family and her “adopted grandfather,” director John D. Hancock.
Creating the ultimate gaming challenge
Could crowdsourcing the video game community crack COVID-19?
A citizen science effort launched by BALANCED Media|Technology and Complexity Gaming deploys the HEWMEN Cell app to test drug compound data against coronavirus, helping SMU researchers sift through possible treatments faster.
Software developed by SMU stops cyber attacks in a more effective way
Engineers from SMU’s Darwin Deason Institute for Cybersecurity have developed software that detects ransomware attacks before they inflict catastrophic damage.
From studying on the Dallas Hall lawn to celebrating on the Boulevard, our May 2020 grads look back on favorite moments from the past four years.
Alumni across the country are hosting #StampedeInPlace interactive virtual events
Check @SMUAlumniNetwork on Facebook for event listings.
Kitten cuteness and other diversions to chase your cares away
When every day can feel like you’re prepping for a big test, de-stress with virtual jigsaw puzzles, puppy and kitten cams and more chill ideas from SMU Libraries.
Learning to separate fact from fiction
As conspiracy theories abound, watch for bias and double-check information
How do you filter out fake coronavirus news? SMU librarian Megan Heuer offers information literacy tips.
Residential Commons traditions continue
SMU student Anna M. participates in Sunday Night Snacks while sheltering in place
Sunday Night Snacks is a weekly tradition in SMU's Residential Commons where Faculty-in-Residence and students get together over fresh cookies. Now the tradition has moved online, but the sense of community is still strong.
SMU profs and students launch artificial intelligence lab to seek COVID-19 solutions
Fred Chang and Jo Guldi lead the search for trends, hidden patterns, insights
Computer science, the digital humanities and students eager to make a difference are all in the mix for a high-stakes collaboration tapping brainpower and the gift of time.
How alumna Ti Martin ’82, co-proprietor of NOLA’s Commander’s Palace is serving the community
Alumna Ti Martin ’82, co-proprietor of the restaurant, keeps its hospitable spirit alive
The legendary Commander’s Palace has teamed up with a New Orleans nonprofit to help feed healthcare workers at all 15 local hospitals. Meals are delivered by out-of-work artists and musicians.
COVID-19 hits home for Nashville student
As her grandmother recovers, Caitlin Williamson has been reminded that family relationships are vital. She has taken this unique time at home to better understand who she is and where she comes from.
Ray W. Washburne ’84 named to industry group charting recovery path
Ray W. Washburne ’84, co-founder and co-owner of M Crowd Restaurant Group, has been tapped by President Donald Trump to serve on a task force developing a recovery plan for the nation’s food and beverage industry.
Reflections from the front line
SMU student is an essential worker in her part-time job at Target
From shortages to hoarding, SMU student Sarah Sedaghatzadeh has seen COVID-19 chaos all from the Target check-out line. Her advice? Stay home if you can; if not, be nice to essential workers.
SMU epidemiologist weighs in on plans to re-open Texas
CBS News reached out to global health expert Eric Bing for insight
Global health expert Eric Bing calls for more COVID-19 testing to establish a baseline before re-opening Texas.
Soap bubbles and Barbie bungee jumps
This SMU education prof takes at-home math to new heights
To help families make math fun and relevant to these times of handwashing and togetherness, SMU math education professor Candace Walkington suggests Soap Bubble Magic, STEMWalks and Barbie Bungee Jumping.
Rewind solo jams by Cary Pierce ’91 and Jack O’Neill ’90 of Jackopierce
SMU alums Cary Pierce ’91 and Jack O’Neill ’90 met as Meadows students and formed the band Jackopierce. Now sheltering at home, they treated fellow Mustangs to solo sets that mixed music with SMU memories and answers to audience questions.
Necessity is the mother of reinvention
For the Odee Company, co-owned by Steve and Sarah Lodwick Holland ’80, the ability to adapt to shifting demands has kept the business going since 1923. Now the printer is churning out hospital gowns for frontline health workers.
Art alumna invites us into her virtual kitchen as she makes delectable ceramics
Fans of “The Great British Baking Show” will marvel at the pastry feats of art alumna Ginger Geyer ’75 of Austin. What’s the secret ingredient in her Instagram-perfect pies? Lots of clay.
Artful activities for beating boredom
Meadows Museum offers crafts, coloring pages, tiny tours and more
Got Kool-Aid, flour and water? Find out how to transform them into sculpture with an easy recipe from the Meadows Museum. The staff has been busy concocting fun crafts, learning experiences, virtual tours and more for all ages to enjoy at home.
Changing course to fight COVID-19
How one alum got creative when the going got tough
In just 48 hours, Lucy and Andy Rieger ’09 pivoted J. Rieger & Co. – their family distillery in Kansas City, Missouri – from producing whiskey to making hand sanitizer for hospitals, nursing homes and the community.
Alum leads innovation network to combat shortages
Hubert Zajicek, M.B.A. ’06, a physician and founder and CEO of the Health Wildcatters incubator in Dallas, helped create the Health Hacking Crisis Network to find quick solutions to problems like the face-mask shortage among healthcare workers.
Rethinking the retail environment
RevTech ‘SAFE Schools’ grants encourage innovation
What are the long-term solutions for staying safe and using retail services on campus? A partnership between several SMU programs challenges student teams to imagine the future.
SMU Center for Family Counseling offers free remote services
SMU’s Center for Family Counseling is now offering free telehealth counseling to anyone who needs it during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reassuring kids during COVID-19
The disruption of daily routines is tough on families, especially children. SMU’s counseling program offers advice for helping your kids feel safe during this uncertain time.
Avoid turning home into ‘Camp Chaos’
First, take a deep breath. Next, try to approach sheltering at home with a sense of challenge, even adventure, says SMU psychologist George Holden. Check out his pointers for using this time to grow closer as a family.
DIG manufactures face shields for area medical professionals
Seth Orsborn, professor and director of DIG, and Alyssa Phillips, DIG lab manager, to manufacture face shields for area medical professionals.
Take care of yourself during these tough times
11 tips from SMU Counseling Services
Given the spread of COVID-19 and the disruption to our lives, grief, frustration and uncertainty all are normal reactions. The situation is new and unpredictable! How do we stay emotionally well during these times?
Campus Events
Tuesdays at 2 p.m.: Tuesday Tool Time - Follow on Instagram, Deason Innovation Gym, Lyle School of Engineering.
Wednesdays @ noon: #MuseumFromHome - Several ways to digitally engage with the Meadows Museum, including Color Our Collection, Tiny Tours and Crafternoons.
Tuesdays, 1:30 - 2:20pm.: Innovation Hours- With Professor Bruce Snider on Zoom Meeting ID: 961 715 100, Deason Innovation Gym, Lyle School of Engineering.
SMU has canceled or postponed on-campus events through the end of May.
Campus Exhibits
DeForrest Judd – Sketches of Texas – Sketches of Texas Regions -Big Bend, Caddo Lake, Gulf Coast, Online exhibit
Octavio Medellin: Maya Toltec Temples and Carvings, 1938 – Online exhibit