SPENCER EGGERS/The Daily Campus

The centennial flag was raised and fireworks filled the sky above Dallas Hall as SMU celebrated its first 100 years and welcomed the years to come.

“This is the most magnificent day of my life,” said Robert Hyer Thomas, grandson of Robert Hyer, first president SMU. “Today was the true vision of what my grandfather wanted.”

Family members of the first 10 presidents of SMU joined with more than 1,000 students, faculty and alumni filled the main quad Friday afternoon to commemorate the 100th anniversary and founding of SMU.

President R. Gerald Turner honored those who paved SMU’s foundation while emphasizing the focus on moving upwards and forward in the next 100 years.

“Today is a call to action,” he said. “And, a time to reflect and return to the work at hand.”

Joining Turner was Vice President for Development and External of Affairs Brad Cheves, Caren Prothro, the chair of SMU’s Board of Trustees, Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe ’85, the Dallas area-North Texas conference of the United Methodist Church, Carl Sewell ’66, the co-chair of the Second Century Celebration Organizing Committee and others.