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

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j ' ? regime ! ch4ePresi- - ' ifflity Course J lingmbreadth ' ' ' lad ever before factions were pre- ■°ii raconteurs and a string quartet. N up to every Revue, the thrilling ' led to furnish all- 2ium, augured the ■ the perfect Quad- ion from office by onstitutional rights, mcing at almost al itroversy; however, igelseontheCam- on, expanding in a dist University life nor has it been ex- ng its own coura- nting to $3,500,000, nore than 135,1 , from the original er school registra- jniversity, we find inlffltheExten- 1 in 1919, and last 9ntsini918to9 yist University, come a long way is, however, very ngle exception of jnginally headed ign language de- essor in charge. Professor of Wn ,;andS.A. y att, Spanish. Professor J. H. McGinnis of the Enghsh Department holds seniority among the professors by virtue of the fact that, coming in June, 1915, he was the first full professor in the University. Also among the members of that original faculty who remain today are Miss Mary McCord, of the Speech Department; Ellis W. Shuler, Professor of Geology; and Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Todd, of the Music School. Miss Dorothy Amann, who began work with the business office of S. M. U. in October, 1913, serves today as Head Librarian. Mrs. Lucie Gardner came to the campus in 1915 as matron of Atkins Hall, and she continued to hold that position until this year. Included in the seven students to receive Master of Arts degrees at the first commencement exercises were: Umphrey Lee; Robert W. Goodloe, who is now Professor of Christian History in the School of Theology; and Mrs. L. S. Holt, teacher of Spanish. Stanley Patterson, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, was a member of the original student body. One of the oldest student organizations, and the first departmental organization, was the Arden Club. The two oldest honorary groups are Alpha Theta Phi, which is petitioning Phi Beta Kappa, and the Square, a women ' s honorary. Of the thirteen national social sororities now on the campus, Alpha Omicron Pi, Alpha Delta Pi, Delta Delta Delta, and Zeta Tau Alpha were here in 1915. Delta Sigma Phi, Alpha Tau Omega, and Pi Kappa Alpha were the national fraternities to affiliate S. M. U. organi- zations during that first year. Three songs are directly connected with S. M. U. Varsity, attributed to Lewis N. Stuckey and Harrison Baker, both students, and arranged by Professor Todd, has become the University song by common consent. Ode to S. M. U. has been played at every commencement exercise in the history of the University. The words to this song were written by Professor O. W. Wannamaker, and the music was composed by Professor Todd. Peruna, although it has not been used for ceremonial purposes, was made popular by the Mustang bond. S. M. U. does not lay claim to being a full-grown institution of higher learning. No University after only twenty-five years would be so bold as to make such a declaration. It is safe to say that within its comparatively brief quarter of a century, S. M. U. has worked as valiantly and has accomplished as much as any other university placed on the same basis. In addition, S. M. U. is in a section of the United States where pioneering is not unknown, either in the past or the present. Exploration, whether for land or for further knowledge, requires vitality, eagerness and determination. S. M. U. has its share of each quality. The ensuing twenty-five years should be more than interesting to observe; continued progress will better establish Southern Methodist Univer- sity ' s claim to be an outstanding institution of the Southwest.

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IM rons — a significant siep towards a democratic regime under President Lee. Another first which the Presi- dent helped to instigate was the Community Course, a concert-lecture artists ' course, resembling in breadth and sheer bigness nothing S. M. U. had ever before sponsored in that field. Seven attractions were pre- sented the first season, ranging from raconteurs and political observers to dancers and a string guartet. Homecoming in early November lived up to every element implied by the term silver anniversary. The Pigskin Revue, the thrilling Texas-S. M. U. game, open houses, and the big-time dance combined to furnish all- round entertainment for exes and students alike. Early 1940, given a vital boost by the dance held in the Gymnasium, augured the opening in May of Fondren Library, another link in the fulfillment of the perfect Quad- rangle. The Editor of The Semi-Weekly Campus escaped ejection from office by the Judiciary Court in February for alleged encroachment upon constitutional rights. Talk started for placing a nickelodeon in the Mustang Corral for dancing at almost all hours. Student politics again caused the usual conjecture and controversy; however, the formal opening of the Fondren Library overshadowed everything else on the Cam- pus during the spring semester. Here was S. M. U. building again, expanding in a twentieth-century mood. Thus, one is afforded a panoramic view of Southern Methodist University life through its first twenty-five years. The going has never been easy nor has it been ex- pected to be a simple matter. Today finds the University holding its own coura- geously. Buildings and improvements represent investments amounting to $3,500,000, and the endowment totals $2,500,000. The libraries contain more than 135,000 catalogued books and pamphlets. The student body has grown from the original number of 706 to 3,988, including the Dallas College and summer school registra- tions. Checking up on enrollment in the different divisions of the University, we find that the Graduate School had nine students the first year and 388 in 1939; the Exten- sion School started with fifty-four students, dropped to seventeen in 1919, and last year boasted 1,538; the Summer School has grown from 214 students in 1918 to 946 in 1939. Vf-1-, The faculty of Southern Methodist University, which is now composed of 150, has come a long way from that first group of thirty-six. It is, however, very interesting to note that, with the single exception of the French Department, which was originally headed by C. F. Zeek, every one of the foreign language de- partments still has the same professor in charge. These teachers are: J. S. Mcintosh, Professor of Latin and Greek; A. D. Schuessler, German; and S. A. My-

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I JUST as the Mustangs of 1915-1916 considered him the man for the trail-blazing presidency of the student body, so do the students of 1939-1940 rank him as the logical fourth president of the University. His name, Dr. Umphrey Lee. His credentials, guaranteed. Appointment of Dr. Lee, who had earlier served as min- ister at the Highland Park Methodist Church, to the full- fledged office of President was climaxed in November by his inauguration. Students and citizens of Dallas alike fully approved the move. Students knew the man for his demo- cratic ideas, his part in helping to organize student govern- ment; townspeople knew of his capabilities in working with young people, his activities in the fields of education and theology. Author of a number of books, religious in nature, our President is prominent throughout the South for his val- uable contributions to literature. Author, educator, theolog- ian — Dr. Lee ' s training has been extensive. Continued prosperity of S. M. U. under the guidance of Dr. Lee is everyone ' s prophecy. A swell scout in the opin- ions of Dallas business men, faculty members, and students, Dr. Lee is S. M. U. ' s man of destiny. ADMINISTRATION r