Emory McDowell

Emory McDowell

A native of Plano, Texas, Emory studies English and Music with minors in Spanish, History, and Public Policy and International Relations. While at SMU, Emory has become an involved participant in the Meadows Symphony Orchestra, Meadows Wind Ensemble, University Honors Program, and Boaz Commons Council. Although he ultimately wants to go into law, Emory believes in the value of lifelong artistic engagement, and seeks to maintain strong ties with the music world by freelancing and lesson-teaching as a supplement to his primary career. He will also try to sustain volunteer involvement with undocumented communities, with whom he has had extensive interaction through work at a local food pantry. These priorities have in turn influenced his conception of public policy. Emory believes strongly in subsidizing the arts because of the indispensable role that the arts play in both the marketplace of ideas and the formation of cultural identity. He has also developed a deep personal understanding of the importance of immigration reform and aspires to develop realistic non-partisan policy solutions that address concerns vocalized by both sides of the immigration debate. Emory hopes that the Tower Scholars Program will equip him with the tools to better understand and address issues such as these and prepare him for a potential career in the political world. Outside of his artistic and academic engagement, Emory enjoys playing fetch with his dogs, reading books, and spending time with friends and family.