Overview
Southern Methodist University Archives, DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University Dedman College records
1912-2001
13 boxes (6.5 linear feet)
Dedman College is the oldest and largest academic unit at Southern Methodist University. Renamed in 1981 for philanthropist Robert H. Dedman, Sr., Dedman College encompasses the humanities, social sciences, as well as the natural and mathematical sciences. This collection comprises the records of Dedman College from its earliest times to 2001. The contents include general information about Dedman College, departmental records (listed alphabetically), and records of various endowed lectures, symposiums, and forums.
SMU 1997.0296
Material is in English
Historical Note
Although Southern Methodist University obtained its charter in 1911, the doors of the University were not opened until September of 1915. Originally, the College of Arts & Sciences comprised the core of SMU’s early curriculum. It was renamed the College of Humanities & Sciences as SMU’s academic course curriculum expanded to include relatively new fields such as Sociology, Women’s Studies, Telecommunications, and Urban & Environmental Studies.
In 1981 the College of Humanities & Sciences was renamed once again, this time as Dedman College, for the late Robert H. Dedman, Sr. (1926 – August 20, 2002) and his wife, Nancy McMillan Dedman; SMU alumni whose gift endowed the college and enables SMU to remain committed to its legacy as a liberal arts university.
Dedman College is the heart of SMU. It is home to the humanities, social sciences, and natural and mathematical sciences. Based in historic Dallas Hall, Dedman College provides the solid foundation of a liberal arts education to all SMU students through the University’s General Education Curriculum.
All SMU undergraduate students begin their studies here. Students complete courses while in Dedman College to prepare for their majors and to explore options before declaring a major at the end of their first or second year. About 40 percent of SMU’s undergraduates choose majors in Dedman College.
Not only the oldest academic unit at SMU, Dedman College is also the largest and most diverse. More than 250 full-time faculty members, including 23 endowed professorships, are based in Dedman College. Undergraduate students in Dedman College may major in more than 50 baccalaureate degree programs and minor in more than 50 areas. There are 16 departments, as well as numerous interdisciplinary and pre-professional programs. In addition, there are 18 graduate programs leading to a Master’s degree and 12 programs leading to a Doctor of Philosophy degree.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
This collection is comprised primarily of departmental records from the founding of SMU until 2001. Notable among the collection are the records of the Biology, Economics, Geology, Sociology, and Women’s Studies Departments. Particular documents include Reports to the President of SMU from 1926-1937, SMU’s earliest MCAT scores, and correspondence relating to SMU’s geological journal, Field & Laboratory.
Also included are records pertaining to the many lectures endowed or sponsored by Dedman College, including the Willis M. Tate Distinguished Lecture Series, the Allman Lecture Series, the Gartner Lecture Series, and the Scott-Hawkins Lecture Series.
Arrangement of the Collection
The collection is organized into 5 series:
- Series 1: Dedman College General Information
- Series 2: Departmental Records: A – Z
- Series 3: Lectures, Forums, & Symposiums
- Series 4: Major Donor Celebration, CORE, & CEE
- Series 5: Field and Laboratory
Related Materials
Southern Methodist University origins and history collection (SMU 2006.0378)
Southern Methodist University English Department records (SMU 1998.0320)
Southern Methodist University History Department records (SMU 1998.0319)
Southern Methodist University, University Lecture Series (SMU 1992.0140x)
Southern Methodist University, University Lecture Series tapes, 1984-1989 (SMU 1991.0078)
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.
Dedman College -- History.
Southern Methodist University -- History.
Universities and colleges -- Texas -- Dallas -- History.
Preferred Citation
Southern Methodist University Dedman College records, Southern Methodist University Archives, DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University.
Acquisition Information
Deposit.
Processing Information
Collection was re-foldered and re-organized in 2009.
Finding aid written by
Lane J. Sobehrad, May 2009.
Encoded by
Lara Corazalla, 2010.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1:
Dedman College General Information
1 box (13 folders)
11Dedman College – General
12Dedman College – Press Releases (05/04/1968 – 04/23/1991)
13Dedman College – News Clippings
14Dedman College – Faculty Information
15Dedman College – Course/Degree Information (1953-1995)
16Dedman College – Academic Minors (1984 – 1988)
17Dedman College – Special Events
18Dedman College – 3 Year Degree Program (1972, 1979, 1989)
19Dedman College – The Advising Center
110Dedman College – Miscellaneous
111Dedman College – Report of the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences (1926 – 1937) – (1 of 2)
112Dedman College – Report of the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences (1926 – 1937) – (2 of 2)
113Dedman College – Honors Exams (1942 – 1948)
Series 2:
Departmental Records: A – Z
9 boxes (111 folders)
21Archaeology & Anthropology – Undergraduate & Graduate Studies
22Archaeology & Anthropology – Press Releases (12/13/1967 – 04/23/2001)
23Archaeology & Anthropology – News Clippings
24Archaeology & Anthropology – Special Events (1981 – 1999)
25Archaeology & Anthropology – Miscellaneous
26Asian Studies Program (1996 – 2001)
27Bilingual Chicano Studies
28Biology – General
29Biology – Press Releases & Publicity (04/07/1959 – 09/03/1974)
210Biology – Financial Records (09/10/1917 – 12/02/1966)
211Biology – MCAT & Student Records (1915 – 1939)
212Biology – S.W. Geiser Correspondence (12/15/1924 – 08/26/1937)
213Biology – Miscellaneous Correspondence (9/8/1937 – 11/13/ 1977)
214Biology – Miscellaneous (General)
31Business Administration
32Chemistry (1917 – 2000)
33Criminal Justice
34Economics – Undergraduate Studies & M.A. Program
35Economics – Graduate Studies (1957 – 1970)
36Economics – Graduate Studies – Pamphlets (1 of 2)
37Economics – Graduate Studies – Pamphlets (2 of 2)
38Economics – Press Releases (10/23/1959 – 06/21/1999)
39Economics – News Clippings (1923 - ?)
310Economics – Special Events (1952 – 1989)
41Economics – Publications (1952, 1957, 1959, 1980, 1983)
42Economics – Publications (1962)
43Economics – Accrediting Bibliographies
44Economics – Annual Reports (1991-1992, 1992-1993)
45Economics – Prudential Committee Reports (1958)
46Economics – Miscellaneous
4Loose"Request for Additional Fellowships for 1962-63 in the Approved Doctoral Program in Economics at Southern Methodist University"
47Education – Course Studies (1925 – 1985)
48Education – Workshops (1932 – 1989)
49Education – Press Releases & Publicity (07/09/1959 – 05/23/1972)
410Education - Miscellaneous
51Foreign Language & Literature – General
52Foreign Language & Literature – Press Releases (03/05/1959 – 03/13/2000)
53Foreign Language & Literature – Goethe Center
54Foreign Language & Literature – Language Laboratory (1958 – 1966)
55Foreign Language & Literature – ALTA Conference Newsletters (1983 – 1989)
56Foreign Language & Literature – French
57Foreign Language & Literature – German
58Foreign Language & Literature – Italian
59Foreign Language & Literature – Latin
510Foreign Language & Literature – Russian
511Foreign Language & Literature – Spanish
61Geology – General
62Geology – History
63Geology – Departmental Development (1912 – 1965)
64Geology – Hiring, Firing, Promotions, etc. (1924 – 1962)
65Geology – Press Releases (01/02/1959 – 09/25/2000)
66Geology – News Clippings (03/021958 – 09/05/1990)
67Geology – Special Events (1951 – 1993)
68Geology – Annual Reports (1978 – 1991)
71Geology – Publications (1 of 2)
72Geology – Publications (2 of 2)
73Geology – Miscellaneous
74Hispanic Leadership Training Program (1987)
75Home Economics (1917? – 1960)
76Ibero-American Studies (1967 – 1976)
77International Studies (May 8, 1991)
78Institute for the Study of Earth & Man – General
79Institute for the Study of Earth & Man – Press Releases & Publicity (10/15/1984 – 04/12/1991)
710Institute for the Study of Earth & Man – Newsletters (June 1972 – Spring 1995)
711Institute for the Study of Earth & Man – Special Events (1983-1989)
712Johnson (Richard B.) Center for Economic Studies (1988 – 1992)
713Mathematics – General
714Mathematics – Press Releases & Publicity (2/4/1958 – 4/11/1984)
715Mathematics – Special Events (1957, 1958, 1960, 1991, 1998)
716Mathematics - JvN Mathematics Seminar (1961 – 1979)
81Mexican American Studies
82Philosophy
83Physical Education & Health
84Physics – General
85Physics – Press Releases & Publicity (02/19/1959 – 05/25/1999)
86Physics – Publications & Special Events (1961 – 1964)
87Political Science – General
88Political Science – Press Releases & Publicity (04/18/1968 – 01/18/1996)
89Political Science – Special Events (1935 – 1992)
810Political Science – John Goodwin Tower Center – General
811Political Science – John Goodwin Tower Center – Press Releases (04/27/1994 – 04/23/2001)
812Political Science – John Goodwin Tower Center – Special Events (1994 – 1999)
813Political Science – Arnold School of Government (formerly "School of Citizenship")
814Pre-Law
815Pre-Med & Pre-Dentistry Program
816Psychology
91Public Administration
92Religious Studies – General
93Religious Studies – Press Releases & Publicity (02/25/1969 – 09/13/1999)
94Religious Studies – Special Events (1968 – 1984)
95Religious Studies – PhD. Program Development (1958? – 1970)
96Sociology – General
97Sociology – Press Releases & Special Events (09/07/1959 – 1961)
98Sociology – Studies in Sociology (1937 – 1940)
99Sociology – Budget (1970 -1972)
910Sociology – Financial Records (1964 – 1974) – (1 of 3)
911Sociology – Financial Records (1964 – 1974) – (2 of 3)
101Sociology – Financial Records (1964 – 1974) – (3 of 3)
102Statistics – General
103Statistics – Press Releases & Special Events (05/226/1961 – 02/08/1996)
104Statistics – "Themis Signal Analysis Statistics Research Program" (no. 3,8,9,66) & other publications
105Telecommunications
106Urban & Environmental Studies – General
107Urban & Environmental Studies – Press Releases & Publicity (02/13/ 1968 – 11/18/1975)
108Urban & Environmental Studies – Special Events (1967 – 1976)
109Urban & Environmental Studies – Publications
1010Women’s Studies – General
1011Women’s Studies – Press Releases & Special Events (1982–1999)
111Women’s Studies – Women’s Studies Council (1980-1981)
112Women’s Studies – Women’s Studies Network (1990-1995)
113Women’s Studies – Revisions (Spring 1977)
114Women’s Studies – SMU Women’s Studies Journal (1975-1976) & other publications
Series 3:
Lectures, Forums, & Symposiums
2 boxes (8 folders)
115Allman Lecture in History (1988 – 1995)
116Alexander & Clive Gilbert Endowed Lecture (1994, 1997)
117Al & Sayde Gartner Lecture (1972 – 1995)
118HART Global Leaders Forum (1996 – 2001)
119Jo Faye Godbey Lecture Series (1991 – 2001)
1110Leaders in Science Lecture Series (1996)
1111Mexican American Leadership Program
1112Scott-Hawkins Lecture Series (1973 – 1996)
121The Louise Ballerstedt Raggio Endowed Lecture Series in Women’s Studies (1998)
122Stanton Sharp Symposium in History (1996 – 2001)
123Willis M. Tate Distinguished Lecture Series – Faculty/Staff Announcements (1983 – 2001)
124Willis M. Tate Distinguished Lecture Series – Press Releases (06/26/1984 – 04/12/2000)
125Willis M. Tate Distinguished Lecture Series – News Clippings
126Willis M. Tate Distinguished Lecture Series – Flyers, Pamphlets, etc.
127Collegium Da Vinci
Series 4:
Major Donor Celebration, CORE, & CEE
2 folders
128Major Donor Celebration (1995)
129CORE & Common Educational Experience (CEE)
Series 5:
Field and Laboratory
1 box (2 folders)
131Field & Laboratory – Correspondence (1933 – 1942)
132Field & Laboratory – Mailing Lists