Marshall Terry writes about his 60-year relationship with SMU

Marshall Terry writes about his 60-year relationship with SMU, from student to administrator to revered professor.

Marshall Terry

Loving U: The Story of a Love Affair (And Some Lover’s Quarrels) With a University by Marshall TerryDALLAS (SMU) — A new book by Marshall Terry provides personal remembrances of his life as an SMU student, professor and administrator over the past 60 years.

During this centennial year of SMU’s founding in 1911, Loving U: The Story of a Love Affair (And Some Lover’s Quarrels) With a University presents Terry’s unique perspective on major milestones and everyday details of the University’s life. The memoir is an affectionate narrative of Terry’s involvement with SMU, told with his characteristic wit and wisdom.

“Marshall Terry’s new book is a special treat for all his legions of fans — students, faculty, staff, administrators, trustees and alumni,” says Russell L. Martin III, director and librarian of SMU’s DeGolyer Library, which published the book.

“His life’s work is inextricably bound up in the history of SMU, and his memoir provides us with a valuable perspective on SMU’s past," Martin continued. "It provides a rounded and full portrait of a time, a place and many of the key characters and events that have shaped SMU. A centennial is an opportunity for looking back and looking ahead, and Loving U gives us a chance to do just that.”

Terry earned both B.A. and M.A. degrees from SMU and played a major role in the University’s advancement through the years. He began teaching English in 1954 and continued teaching while serving as director of public relations and assistant to SMU President Willis M. Tate from 1957 to 1965. Working with Tate, he wrote the Master Plan of 1963, which reaffirmed SMU’s mission and laid the foundation for the University’s current Strategic Plan.

Terry twice served as chair of the English Department in Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences and founded the department’s creative writing program and the SMU Literary Festival. He also served as Faculty Senate president and associate provost for undergraduate education. Terry influenced generations of students as teacher, mentor and writer. He has been affectionately known as “Mr. SMU” for many years.

Marshall TerryTerry is the author of 12 books, including novels, short stories and From High on the Hilltop: A Brief History of SMU, now in its third edition.

He is a Fellow of the Texas Institute of Letters and received the Institute’s highest honor, the Barbara McCombs/Lon Tinkle Award, among his numerous writing awards. SMU honored him with the Distinguished Alumni Award, “M” Award, three Rotunda Outstanding Professor Awards and two Willis M. Tate Awards for Outstanding Faculty.

Terry retired in 2007 as E.A. Lilly Distinguished Professor of English. At the 2007 Commencement, SMU conferred upon him the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Loving U is available at the SMU Barnes & Noble bookstore, 3060 Mockingbird Lane, or through SMU’s DeGolyer Library at http://smu.edu/cul/degolyer.

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