| December 2000 |
SMU decides to pursue the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum; administrators and trustees form committees to develop a proposal. |
| 2000-2001 |
Other competitors emerge: Texas A&M, University of Dallas, The University of Texas at Austin (system), The University of Texas at Arlington (with the City of Arlington), Baylor University, a West Texas Coalition consisting of Texas Tech University in Lubbock and Midland College in Midland. |
| Summer 2004 |
SMU produces a proposal and presentation to have ready when President Bush calls for information. |
| July 7, 2005 |
Library Selection Committee sends competitors a request for proposal seeking information on how they would house the library, museum and independent institute. |
| September 14, 2005 |
SMU delivers its proposal package to the Selection Committee. |
| October 12, 2005 |
The Selection Committee announces that Texas A&M University, The University of Texas System and the City of Arlington are eliminated from consideration. SMU, Baylor, the University of Dallas and the West Texas Coalition are the remaining four contenders. |
| October 24, 2005 |
SMU receives a letter of invitation to make a presentation to the Selection Committee in Washington, D.C. |
| November 15, 2005 |
SMU makes its presentation to the Selection Committee in Washington, D.C. |
| December 19, 2005 |
SMU delivers materials and model to the White House for further review. |
| March 16, 2006 |
The Selection Committee eliminates the West Texas Coalition bid from contention, leaving SMU, Baylor and the University of Dallas as finalists. |
| December 21, 2006 |
The Library Selection Committee announces it is focusing on SMU as the possible site; negotiations begin. |
| January 23, 2007 |
The University of Dallas drops its bid. |
| February 22, 2008 |
SMU Board of Trustees and George W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation Board approve legal agreements establishing SMU as the site of the George W. Bush Presidential Center. A public announcement is made. |
| February 14, 2009 |
Former President Bush begins periodic visits to SMU classes at the request of faculty and attends other campus activities. |
| November 12, 2009 |
Former President and Mrs. Bush announce areas of focus for the George W. Bush Institute and announce its first Fellows. |
| March-April 2010 |
The Bush Institute begins its series of symposia on campus, as announced in February, adding up to 12 programs by spring 2013. |
| April 21, 2010 |
SMU’s John Goodwin Tower Center for Political Studies awards its Medal of Freedom to former President and Mrs. Bush. |
| September 29, 2010 |
Bush Institute announces education reform research and programs in partnership with SMU’s Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development. |
| October 15, 2010 |
SMU and the Bush Foundation execute final agreements for the lease of approximately 23 acres of land for construction of the Bush Center. |
| October 23, 2010 |
Exhibit of Bush presidential artifacts and documents opens at SMU’s Meadows Museum, ending February 6, 2011. |
| November 16, 2010 |
Groundbreaking is held for the Bush Center. |
| April 2, 2011 |
Mrs. Bush receives the Literati Award from SMU’s Central University Libraries, honoring use of the written word to make a positive impact. |
| October 3, 2011 |
The Bush Center hosts “topping out” ceremony and honors construction workers at the Library site. |
| February 22, 2013 |
On the fifth anniversary of agreements between SMU and the Bush Foundation, SMU Board of Trustees passes resolution honoring and thanking former President and Mrs. Bush. |
| April 19, 2013 |
As part of its Founders’ Day activities, SMU hosts a welcome ceremony on the Main Quad for the Bush Center. |
| April 25, 2013 |
The Bush Center is dedicated with a series of events the week of April 21, culminating in the dedication on April 25. SMU and the Bush Center co-host a block party for the University community. |
| April 29, 2013 |
The Bush Library and Museum host a special SMU visitation day for faculty, staff and students. |
| May 1, 2013 |
The Bush Center opens to the public. |
