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The SMU spirit lives in song, symbols, and traditions that have endured for generations in the hearts of countless Mustangs, alumni, and friends.
 Each
fall students, faculty, staff, and alumni get together on The Boulevard for
pregame picnics and festivities. Drop by the Office of Alumni Relations tent – we
would love to see you! |
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 Homecoming is a blast, starting
with the Kick-off Party, where student organizations, the Mustang Band, cheerleaders,
the pom squad, and just about everyone else rally at Hughes-Trigg to select
the Homecoming royalty and jump-start the weekend with tug-of-war games, music,
and plenty of loud fun. Student-made floats enliven the Homecoming Parade,
topped by tailgate gatherings on The Boulevard and a great
football
game.
This is a great time for all alumni to come back to renew their SMU Connections. |
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| The SMU Distinguished Alumni Award has honored alumni for outstanding professional accomplishments, exemplary community services, and loyal support of the University. | |||
Reunions Another way our alumni maintain lifetime connections with their alma mater is to celebrate class reunions every five years. |
Doak Walker Plaza honors one of SMU’s greatest athletes, National Pro Football Hall of Fame member Doak Walker, ’50, who also won the Heisman Trophy. |
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 Throughout SMU’s history,
Senior
Class Gifts have become a special tradition. Examples include the entrance markers
at Mockingbird and Airline, and in front of the Umphrey Lee Center; the
South Quadrangle Plaza; the Plaza in front of the Hughes-Trigg Student
Center; and the Wall Entrance by the Law Quad. |
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| President Hyer’s assistant once noted that SMU football players looked like a “bunch of wild mustangs.” The term “Mustangs” became official when put to a student vote. |  |
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The “M” Award is the most highly coveted recognition given to students, faculty, staff, and administrators for service to the University. |
SMU celebrates spring at Mane Event, a student-run festival of live music, food, and fun. Enjoy the sunshine and take a break! |
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 The Mustang
Band, known as the “Hub of SMU Spirit,” began in 1917,
and fans have been greatly entertained ever since. Famous for its jazz and
swing style of music, the Band has numerous traditions, including standing
throughout football and basketball games. A voluntary Band tradition for
first-year band members is to wear red and blue beanies. |
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 Mustang
Corral is a retreat in the Texas Hill Country for entering first-year
students. Student leaders, alumni, faculty, and staff welcome new students
to the SMU community while sharing the rich history of spirit and traditions. |
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Mustangs Eleven are students within each class year who promote spirit and traditions like “Red & Blue” Fridays and wearing red shirts at sports events. |
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 Rotunda
Passage begins with Rotunda Processional, when first-year students
pass through the Dallas Hall Rotunda to Convocation, the University’s
ceremonial opening assembly held each fall. Alumni parents line the walkway
with flags from every state and country represented in the class. After
Baccalaureate, held during Graduation Weekend, seniors pass back through
the Rotunda of Dallas Hall during Rotunda Recessional as they leave SMU
and become alumni. |
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“Pony Battle Cry” Hail to the red and the blue
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SMU’s official mascot was named after an early 20th-century patent medicine, Peruna Tonic, which was popular for its “kick.” Peruna is a black stallion Shetland pony that attends all home football games. |
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 Designed
after the library rotunda at the University of Virginia, Dallas Hall opened
its doors in 1915 and housed the entire University as well as a bank and a
barbershop. Because Dallas Hall was built on a hill, SMU was nicknamed “The
Hilltop.” The University seal is on the floor under the Rotunda. |
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The University’s first president, Robert S. Hyer, selected Harvard Red and Yale Blue as the school colors to symbolize SMU’s high standards. |
Mustang fans show school pride with Pony Ears during school songs, chants, and cheers. |
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