Overview
Southern Methodist University Archives, DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University origins and history collection
1911-1996
1911-1930
4 boxes (2.5 linear feet)
The Southern Methodist University origins and history collection consists of documents, school publications, and news articles relating to the founding of the university, university events, the history of SMU, and world events as related to SMU. The content of the collection is varied and includes the governing documents of the university, newspaper articles and clippings (including, for example, issues of the SMU Daily Campus from the time of the JFK assassination and the Persian Gulf War), and programs and brochures released for various celebrations marking school anniversaries.
SMU 2006.0378
Material is in English
Historical Note
Southern Methodist University was established in Dallas by an Educational Commission appointed in 1910 by the five Annual Conferences of The Methodist Episcopal Church, South in Texas. These Annual Conferences confirmed the work of the Commission, which resulted in the University being chartered by the state of Texas on April 17, 1911.
The University was designated the connectional institution for all Conferences west of the Mississippi River by action of the Methodist General Conference in 1914. First classes were held in 1915. By an act of the Uniting Conference of The Methodist Church in 1939, the University is operated by Trustees elected by Methodist conferences in the South Central Jurisdiction, comprising the states of Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.
In 2007, Southern Methodist University is on the verge of commemorating its 100-year anniversary, to be celebrated in 2011. Boasting an enrollment of roughly 11,000 students, SMU confers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees through seven schools: humanities and sciences; business; performing, visual, and communication arts; engineering; education and human development; law; and theology.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The SMU origins and history collection contains university documents and news clippings that pertain to the establishment of the university, as well as notable events during the life and times of the school. The collection is not entirely confined strictly to campus news and events. It does contain information detailing world events from the perspective of SMU; for example, how the SMU community reacted to the Persian Gulf War of 1991.
The papers date roughly from 1915 until 1991, but it is important to note that the materials contained are not spread evenly over those years. The founding and beginning years of SMU are amply documented, but there is not much information covering the 1940s through the mid-1950s.
The records have been organized into four series in chronological order and are generally divided by time period, marked by notable school events. The first series is an assortment of general school information covering the entire span of years of the collection. University governing documents are included here, but the bulk of this series holds pamphlets and articles written for various occasions that give general overviews of school history. Other records detail Dallas Morning News stories on SMU, the granting of tax-exempt status, and information on the university’s early curriculum.
Series Two covers the establishment of SMU in 1915 until the Ownby Stadium bleacher collapse in 1940. Most of this series covers the first year or two of SMU, but the 1920s athletic scandal (in which the university athletic program was accused of offering money to athletes to come play at SMU) is also included, as is a paper written in the 1980s detailing SMU history during the Great Depression Years.
Series Three begins with materials from the inauguration of Willis Tate as SMU President in 1955, and goes through the 1960s. Included are campus newspaper editorials from the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, and publications from the SMU 50th Anniversary celebrations. Series 4, finally, covers the 1970s through the early 1990s: the SMU 60th and 75th Anniversary celebrations, the campus visit of President Gerald R. Ford in 1975, academic reports and initiatives from SMU President A. Kenneth Pye, and the Persian Gulf War.
Arrangement of the Collection
The collection is organized into 4 series:
- Series 1: General Information on the Origins of Southern Methodist University, 1911-1986
- Series 2: Founding of SMU to Ownby Stadium Accident, 1915-1940 (also includes material on SMU 20th Anniversary Celebrations, 1935)
- Series 3: Inauguration of Willis M. Tate as SMU President up until the SMU 60th Anniversary Celebrations, 1955-1970
- Series 4: SMU 60th Anniversary Celebrations and Visit of President Gerald R. Ford, to the Persian Gulf War, 1971-1991
Related Materials
Southern Methodist University anniversaries collection (SMU 1994.0236)
Access to Collection:
Collection is open for research use.
Publication Rights:
Permission to publish materials must be obtained from the Director of the DeGolyer Library.
Copyright Statement:
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain copyright authorization.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following terms in the Southern Methodist University Libraries' online catalog. Researchers desiring related materials may search the catalog using these terms.
Southern Methodist University --History.
Universities and colleges --Texas --Dallas --History.
Preferred Citation
Southern Methodist University origins and history collection, Southern Methodist University Archives, DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University.
Acquisition Information
Deposit.
Processing Information
Finding aid written by Paul H. Santa Cruz, 2007.
Encoded by
Lara Corazalla, 2007.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1:
General Information on the Origins of Southern Methodist University, 1911-1986
11Correspondence Regarding the Initial Endowment of Southern Methodist University, and the Filming of the School’s Opening, 1915
12Correspondence, Newspaper Articles on the Founding, Early Years of SMU, 1911-1974
13Historical Brochures, Speeches, Other Material Commemorating the Founding of SMU, 1929-1986
14Charter and Bylaws of SMU, and Amendments (also includes material from the incorporation of SMU, 1967)
15Charter and Bylaws of SMU (and amendments)
16Bylaws (pamphlets with SMU charter and bylaws, dates ranging from 1918-1945)
17Ideals and Aims of SMU
18The Campus, 1913 (fundraising publication)
21History of SMU—pamphlets, newspaper articles, correspondence
22Stories about SMU from the Dallas Morning News (bibliographic information and summaries)
23Early Curriculum (two brief papers, one from sociology department, other from philosophy department)
24Tax-Exempt Status of SMU (undated)
25Logos, History of SMU
26Presidents of SMU (includes one photograph with group of Presidents Selecman, Boaz, Lee, and Tate)
Series 2:
Founding of SMU to Ownby Stadium Accident, 1915-1940 (also includes material on SMU 20th Anniversary Celebrations, 1935)
27Correspondence Regarding the Establishment of SMU, 1915 (includes a letter with SMU tuition fees in the school’s early years; also two manuscripts: one on the initial course of study for women at SMU, the other a written history of the school with statements from witnesses at the school’s founding
28Envelope with Articles from Texas Christian Advocate and The King’s Messenger regarding the founding of SMU, 1912-1916
29Envelope with Typed Excerpts from the Texas Christian Advocate regarding the location of the University in Dallas, 1910
31Goals and Preliminary Plans for the Opening of SMU, 1911-1915
32SMU, First Entering Class
33World War I and Postwar Conditions
34SMU Athletic Controversy, 1920s (controversy over charges that SMU was attempting to improve its athletic program by paying athletes to come to SMU)
35SMU Athletic Controversy, part 2
36SMU During the Great Depression Years (report compiled by history student, 1989)
41Record of Courses, 1920-1922 (book of Mims Thornburgh Workman’s records of courses taken at SMU for a Bachelor’s of Divinity degree)
42SMU 20th Anniversary Material, 1935 (announcements, newspaper articles, etc.)
43SMU 20th Anniversary Material, part 2
44SMU 20th Anniversary Material, part 3
45Ownby Stadium Bleacher Crash, 1940 (photos)
Series 3:
Inauguration of Willis M. Tate as SMU President up until the SMU 60th Anniversary Celebrations, 1955-1970
46Inauguration of Willis M. Tate as SMU President, 1955
47Leftist Charges Against SMU, 1960-1961
48Semi-Centennial Celebration, 1961 (includes newspaper articles, pamphlets from 50-year anniversary of SMU)
49President’s Report Material, 1961 (includes several fold-outs with color photographs of SMU campus in 1961)
410Seminar on Relevance of History to Learning & Wisdom (Transcription), Part of Semi-Centennial 1961-1965
411The SMU Campus Issue (11/27/63) on the Assassination of President Kennedy (11/22/63)
412SMU’s Status as a University
413Year-End Roundup, 12/24/69 (School News & Accomplishments)
Series 4:
SMU 60th Anniversary Celebrations and Visit of President Gerald R. Ford, to the Persian Gulf War, 1971-1991
414SMU in the Seventies
4151975 Speech & Visit of President Gerald R. Ford on the Occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Founding of SMU
416Publications, Statements, Other Materials on the 75th Anniversary of SMU, 1987
417SMU 75th Anniversary, Continued
418The Daily Campus Issues with School Highlights; 1988, 1989
419Academic Priorities Task Force Report, 1989 (includes President A. Kenneth Pye’s Recommendations on Academic Priorities, Financial Feasibilities, etc.)
420Academic Reform, Result of President Pye’s Proposals, 1989-1990
421School Releases, Newspaper Articles on Campus Reaction to Persian Gulf War, 1991