SMU celebrates the 100th anniversary of the first classes on campus with the 2015 Centennial Homecoming Sept. 23-27, 2015.
The Centennial theme, “Hundredth on the Hilltop,” honors the University’s history and the achievements of its students, alumni and faculty.
Hosted and organized by the SMU Student Foundation, the special events will include a concert and midnight countdown to SMU’s 100th birthday on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
On the anniversary day of Thursday, Sept. 24, the University will gather for special celebrations including a worship service, Centennial concert and Convocation, a State Fair of Texas-inspired picnic, and the 2015 Distinguished Alumni Awards.
Traditional activities with a Centennial twist will include the Homecoming parade, tailgating on The Boulevard followed by the SMU-James Madison football game in Ford Stadium.
> Watch for livestreamed SMU Centennial events at smu.edu/live
> More info on SMU’s Centennial Homecoming game at smumustangs.com/gameday
SMU Centennial Homecoming events at a glance
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015
• Centennial Countdown Concert exclusively for SMU alumni, parents, students, faculty and staff, featuring the Eli Young Band and special guest Cam, with a midnight countdown to SMU’s 100th anniversary on the Hilltop. Doors open 8:30 p.m., concert 9 p.m.-midnight in Moody Coliseum. [Countdown Concert]
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015 – SMU’s 100th Birthday
• Centennial Worship Service led by Dean William B. Lawrence of SMU’s Perkins School of Theology, 8:30 a.m., Perkins Chapel. Seating is limited; arrive early or watch via webcast at smu.edu/live. [Worship Service]
• Carillon bells honoring the 100th anniversary of the first day of classes on the SMU campus, 10 a.m., Fondren Science Building.
• Convocation Concert, Meadows Wind Ensemble, 10 a.m., McFarlin Auditorium.
• Centennial Convocation Ceremony led by SMU President R. Gerald Turner, 10:30 a.m., McFarlin Auditorium. [Commemoration Ceremony]
• Pealing of bells at Highland Park United Methodist Church and churches through Dallas-Fort Worth and the state of Texas in honor of the SMU Centennial, noon.
• Centennial Picnic with a State Fair of Texas theme, featuring State Fair foods, carnival games and a greeting from Big Tex, noon, South Lawn, Clements Hall. Hosted by Aramark and open to all SMU community members and guests attending the Centennial Commemoration. [Centennial Picnic]
• Distinguished Alumni Awards honoring Bess Fraser Enloe ’60, Donald F. Jackson ’63, Billie Ida Williamson ’74, and Emerging Leader Award recipient Rev. Dr. Michael Waters ’02, ’06, ’12, 7 p.m., Main Quad. [SMU DAA 2015]
Friday, Sept. 25, 2015
• Campaign Volunteer Meeting, a special gathering of SMU’s Second Century Campaign volunteers, 11:30 a.m., Main Quad. Invitation only. [Campaign Volunteer Meeting]
• Centennial Stampede of Service, with 100 SMU students participating in service projects at 10 local nonprofit organizations including schools, libraries, food pantries and counseling centers representing SMU’s commitment to community service, beginning at 11:30 a.m. [More about #SMUServes]
• State Fair of Texas 2015 Opening Parade featuring SMU Giants 10- and 12-foot marionettes and the Mustang Band, noon, downtown Dallas. [State Fair of Texas Parade route]
• Campus and academic open houses in SMU’s schools, centers and libraries, 2-5 p.m. Visit the full Centennial Homecoming schedule for the most current individual listings.
• Release party and reunion for the new Harold Jeskey biography, The Man in the Red Tie, 2 p.m. in McCord Auditorium, 306 Dallas Hall. [More about the Harold Jeskey event]
• Willard Spiegelman reunion for friends and former students, 5 p.m. reception, 6 p.m. remarks, McCord Auditorium and 3rd-floor mezzanine, Dallas Hall. [More about the Willard Spiegelman event]
• Pigskin Revue, “A Century in Revue” – the 82nd edition of the annual variety show featuring SMU students in music, dance and comedy acts, with the Mustang Band playing new music as well as favorites from the past 100 years, 8:15 p.m., McFarlin Auditorium. Tickets are free for faculty, staff and students with SMU IDs, with no limit. Get yours at the Mustang Band table outside Hughes-Trigg Student Center. [More about Pigskin Revue]
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015
• Tailgating on the Boulevard featuring Mustang Alley, the Mustang Walk to Ford Stadium, the Mustang Band and Cheer march, and food and beverage service, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Bishop Boulevard. [A guide to The Boulevard, including a map]
• Homecoming Parade with the theme “Hundredth on the Hilltop,” in which students bring to life a themes from a past Homecoming beginning at 3 p.m. on Bishop Boulevard. [Homecoming Parade info]
• Homecoming Football Game featuring the SMU Mustangs vs. the James Madison Dukes, free Peruna bobbleheads for the first 5,000 attendees, a Ford Mustang giveaway courtesy of Bob Tomes Ford, a Centennial halftime performance by the Mustang Band, and a postgame Birthday Salute to SMU, 6 p.m., Ford Stadium. [More about the SMU Homecoming game and Birthday Salute]
Throughout the weekend
• Centennial lighting featuring ceremonial lighting of Dallas Hall, SMU’s East Campus Expressway Tower, and other landmark buildings throughout Dallas.
• Mustang Mini Reunions for visiting alumni, current students, and other SMU community members. [More about Homecoming 2015 Mini Reunions]
• Museum and library exhibitions, including the Meadows Museum’s Treasures from the House of Alba, Hamon Arts Library’s Fashion Design Sketches by Nancy B. Hamon, SMU Centennial Hall, and the George W. Bush Presidential Center’s Baseball: America’s Presidents, America’s Pastime.
• Reunion gatherings throughout the weekend for the classes of ’70, ’75, ’80, ’85, ’90, ’95, ’00, ’05 and ’10. [More at smu.edu/reunions]
