Stampede prevails despite weather

Students taking a stroll around Bishop Boulevard on Fridayevening may have noticed a festive atmosphere made noticeable by anilluminated Main Quad in front of Dallas Hall.

No, this was not a campus-wide KISS concert, rather The Taste ofDallas, just one of the most delicious events that occurred duringSMU’s annual Mustang Stampede (formerly known as FirstWeekend).

“Overall, it went really well,” said Bethany Naser,coordinator of the Office of New Student Programs.

This year’s events incorporated past successes with newimprovements, perhaps the most prominent of which lies in the namechange.

The modification was made in order to attract more upper-classstudents.

“Mustang Stampede,” according to the office, has amuch more welcoming connotation that appeals to the entire campusthan First Weekend.

As Naser explaned, “The name change really gotupperclassmen engaged in the weekend.”

The festivities kicked off on Friday evening with WB comedianJamie Kennedy conducting laughs in McFarlin Auditorium.

Directly following the show, students enjoyed The Taste ofDallas in the Main Quad.

Café Nostra and Maggiano’s provided free pizza anddelicacies, though supplies were limited.

“Friday night provided a good opportunity for all studentsto get together,” Naser said.

Although the turnout was abundant, some were deterred by thechance of severe weather.

Dark clouds and thunder rumbling across campus influenced ahandful of students to stay indoors.

“The weather that day may have kept some away,”Naser said.

She went on to explain that, should thunderstorms have turnedthe Taste of Dallas into a washout, a backup location indoors mighthave hampered the spirit of the occasion.

“An essential part of the event is to be outside,”she said.

While Saturday saw a bit of a decrease in attendance, thosepresent saw an offensive outburst from the football team at FordStadium.

In the final open scrimmage before the Mustangs host Texas Techon Sept. 4, sophomore quarterback Chris Phillips completed eight of13 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown.

Kicker Chris McMurtray wowed the crowd as well, succeeding onsix of seven field goal attempts.

“We had a nice scrimmage in the evening,” Nasersaid, “and it was fairly well attended.”

Following the game, the box-office smash Troy was shown on theJumbotron in the stadium.

The movie viewing allowed for students to mix and mingle withfootball players, courtesy of Program Council.

The evening festivities came to a close with “Stomp in theStadium”, a dance party that took place in the Press BoxLevel of Ford Stadium.

Though few in numbers, the students that did participate enjoyeda unique opportunity to socialize in an environment normallyreserved for correspondents of ESPN, Fox Sports Network and SportsIllustrated.

“I thought it was a great chance for students to get alook at the Press Box Level,” Naser explained.

Though well publicized, the diminutive turnout did not impressfirst-year Kyle Anderson.

“I don’t know,” the Highland Park native said.”I figured more people would be here.”

The weekend came to a close on Sunday evening with a UniversityWorship Service, sponsored by the Office of the Chaplain.

Though circumstances such as weather and lack of participationfrom local restaurants were present, Naser felt the events went aswell as possible.

“With everything that was going against us,” shesaid, “Mustang Stampede worked because of a lot of supportfrom departments such as athletics and RLSH.

“The weekend is a great way to meet students, and that wasaccomplished,” she said.

Stampede marks the final leg of two months worth of traditionalprogramming targeted toward intermingling within the University,following AARO, Mustang Corral and Week of Welcome.

Although the main series of events has passed, the Office of NewStudent Programs cannot rest just yet.

“ENCORE is a continual orientation program that meets theneeds of the first-year class,” Naser said. “Itincludes the ‘GO TO CLASS’ campaigns, ‘Take aFaculty Member to Lunch Day’ and sporadic programs directedat incoming students.”

Despite the hardships, Naser also felt that this year’sMustang Stampede will be a beneficial building block for thefuture.

“We hope that this can truly become an SMU-wide event, andthis weekend was a strong foundation.”