Southern Methodist University - Rotunda Yearbook (University Park, TX)

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COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES The academic standards of Southern Methodist University won the approval of the College Association of Texas during the very first year of the institution. Then, in 1922, the school was admitted to membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools, and in 1929 was put on the approved list of the Association of American Universities and at the same time was admitted to membership in the American Association of University Women. Hence, the students enter the universities of the world Without question. The institution has had students in various graduate schools over America and in foreign coun- tries. A check made several years ago showed that more than hfty of its graduates up to that date had attended the thirteen largest graduate schools in America and that not a single one had failed in his work. More than half of them had made higher grades in the graduate schools than they had at Southern Methodist University. Several eX-students have already won distinction. One of these is now on the art staff of The Saturday Evening Post,- another won the world-famous art prize, the prix de Rome; and another made the discovery of the long-lost Mayan capital in British Hon- duras, and thus received the compliments of scientists and journalists over the continent. One stu- dent is now With the Byrd Expedition. The number of students becoming prominent in the professions and other lines of work is rapidly increasing. The University offers scholarships each year to the highest ranking students of both sexes in each Texas high school aHiliated to the extent of fifteen units. These entitle the holders to exemption both semesters of one year from their tuition in the College of Arts and Sciences. Similar awards are made to graduates of Junior Colleges in the N orth Texas territory surrounding S. M. U. In ad- dition, there are fifty student activity scholarships, and also twenty undergraduate scholarships, ten for men and ten for women, awarded to Juniors in the University Who make the highest averages in their classes during their freshman and sophomore years. N umerous endowed scholarships are also available. In accordance With the policy of the modern university, 8. M. U. makes every effort to safeguard the health of students during their stay on the campus. Before matriculation, each student is re- quired to undergo a thorough physical examination. In case of sudden illness, competent physicians are provided, Who may also be consulted at any time by regularly enrolled students. Two years credit in Physical Education is required by the University for all degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences. To make the fulfillment of this requirement as desirable as possible, many interesting and different forms of athletics are offered by the department. Golf, basketball, tennis, swimming, hand- ball, tumbling, and aesthetic dancing are some of the activities Which may be pursued in certain cases in place of the regular Physical Education classes. To enhance still further the attractiveness of the Physical Education requirement, the department sponsors a program of intramural sports, Which finds practically every student in the University eagerly participating. The list of faculty members holding the Doctor,s degree has constantly increased from 6 in 1915 to 30 in 1933, and the amount of research work done by them as represented by publications, books, etc, has reached considerable proportions. Some of the books written are used as college texts all about over the United States. A check of IIVVhols Who in America,J shows listed twenty-six mem- bers of the faculty of Southern Methodist University-a very fine showing When compared With that of larger and older faculties. The student enrollment in Arts and Sciences rose gradually from 522 in 1915-16 to 1669 in 1925-26, but by 1933 had dropped to 1286. However, the return of upper-classmen has been very gratifying, as the number of degrees conferred indicates. These numbers have increased from 25 in 1915-16 to 208 in 1932-33. The session of 1933-34 shows good resistance to the depression. a 17 a

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; 7 '2; war , gr , 23mm? DR. ELZY DEE JENNINGS

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Methodism has centered its eHorts to provide an adequately trained ministry in the western area of the church in the School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, The cur- riculum 0f the school makes it possible for the young minister to follow out the lines of study offered by the best seminaries of America. Ninety per cent of the students have their Mastefs de- gree. As a graduate school, em- phasis is placed upon a thorough mastery of the course of Study. However, it is never out of the thinking of the faculty that the men are being trained for a practical, spiritual ministry. The more than one thousand alumni and ex-students 0f the institution in the various conferences and mission fields of the church are rendering a type of service that reflects credit upon work being done in the School of Theology. MM SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY With the establishing of Southern Methodist University in 1915, the School of Theology bee gan its work as an integral part of the University. It is recognized in Methodism as the oHicial Theological School west of the Mississippi River. Its curriculum has been expanded so as to offer the young ministers a course of studies in keeping With the best seminaries of America. Ninety per cent of the students have their MasterTs degree. As a graduate school, emphasis is placed upon a thorough mastery of the course of study. However, it is never out of the thinking of the faculty that the men are being trained for a practical, spiritual ministry. T here is a close personal touch be- tween the teachers and the students. The more than one thousand alumni and eX-students of the institution in the various conferences and mission helds of the Church are rendering a type of serv- ice that reflects credit upon the Work being done in the School of Theology. A limited number of scholarships are open to young ministers Who hold a Bachelor of Arts de- gree from a college of recognized standing, and Who are in need of financial aid for pursuing courses leading to the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. In addition to these scholarships, loans With- out interest, While the men are in school, are made to students desiring help. Most of the men are able to meet a part or all of their financial needs by work for the University or in the community. Special dormitories have been erected for married students. The school year is divided into four terms of twelve weeks each. The summer quarter, which begins in June, is divided into two terms. New, as well as old, students may complete a full quare teris work in required courses for the Bachelor of Divinity degree during the summer. Dr. Eugene B. Hawk assumed the position of Dean of the School of Theology this year. He holds a B. D. from Vanderbilt and an honorary D. D. from S. 1V1. U. Outstanding among ime provements Which he has made is the establishing of a social room in the Theology Building for the future ministers. There has been a need in the school for a long time for a place Where the stu- dents and their professors could have fellowship and a definite social program could be carried out. is 18e