I keep track of the college campuses that I visit much in the same way that I keep track of states and countries I visit. I’ve found that visiting a campus is a little snippet of real life, a trip off the beaten tourist path to people live, work, and play. In addition to some great campus architecture, there’s a host of businesses and activity that go into into supporting what is, in essence, a mini-city.
MJ outside the gate of SMU's Gerald Ford Stadium, Dallas
Earlier this summer, I had a chance to visit Southern Methodist University in Dallas. It’s officially located in University Park, a part of the greater Dallas area.
SMU, founded in 1911, is a private university owned and operated by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. The university has an enrollment of nearly 11,000 students, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree in seven schools: humanities and sciences, business, the performing, visual, and communication arts, engineering, education and human development, law, and theology. The campus is home to 10 libraries, including the largest private collection of research materials in the southwest, and the Meadows Museum, one of the leading collections of Spanish art outside of Spain.
What brought me to the SMU campus, however, was not related to education, culture, or art. What prompted my visit to SMU was football. Specifically, SMU Mustangs football. I know, you’re scratching your head thinking, “but MJ, you don’t even like football,” but this little side trip, like many in my travels, was about friendship. Head coach June Jones is a friend, and this was a little glimpse at the stadium and field where his team plays. (The photo shows me standing outside the gate of the Gerald J. Ford Stadium.)
This was a beautiful campus, set in a largely residential area, and a visit was well worth the time getting off the beaten path. I’m looking at fall travel plans now, and wondering how many new campuses I can visit!
Do you have a favorite college campus that you’ve visited?
Photo credit: Mary Jo Manzanares
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