Hughes-Trigg celebrates 15th birthday
A chance to win a pizza party for ? is the big draw at the party to celebrate the Hughes-Trigg Student center’s 15th birthday. The celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday in the Hughes-Trigg commons.
“Who wants to win a pizza party?” tests student’s knowledge on the history of Hughes-Trigg. Marketing director Nancy Bernardino said most of the information is not common knowledge and the Center has its own cheat sheet.
Contestants can pick up forms to enter the pizza contest and guides, such as the Connection, to freshen up on background information at Hughes-Trigg Mane Desk. The student who can answer the most questions wins a pizza party.
Other birthday games offer T-shirts as prizes. Dining Services is providing free cake and Bene Pizzeria pizza.
“It’s a time for people to come and have a good time to celebrate that we’ve been here for 15 years,” Bernardino said.
During the celebration, students have the opportunity to meet and greet their student Senators, student body officers and Senate committee chairs. This is a time for students to acquaint themselves with SMU’s student government. Students are encouraged to bring campus issues and concerns forward.
“This is an excellent opportunity for students to have one-on-one conversations and be heard,” said Leslie Parks, senate communication chair.
The student center’s conception began with a love story. Former SMU students Mary Katherine Hughes and Charles Henry Trigg met 60 years ago and fell in love where the center stands today.
Hughes was class secretary and a member of both Mortar Board and Delta Gamma sorority. She graduated with a bachelor’s in music in 1931. Trigg played for the football team and graduated in 1929 with a bachelor’s degree.
After graduation, Hughes and Trigg married. Trigg was assistant coach for the Mustang football team from 1935 to 1942. While Trigg served in the Navy during WWII, Hughes worked for the dean of women on SMU’s campus
The Triggs moved to a log cabin ranch in Mertzon, Texas, but kept SMU close to their hearts.
The Triggs presented a gift of $10 million in 1985 to construct a new student center. With the couple’s help, the Hughes-Trigg Student Center was completed in 1988.
“It was near and dear to their hearts to provide something for SMU students. It was a gift of love,” said Vera Sohl, office manager of Hughes-Trigg.
In 1996, Charles H. Trigg passed away and Mary Katherine Hughes Trigg died a year later.
The Triggs are a part of the SMU community not only through the construction of the Hughes -Trigg Student Center, but also through two endowments established in their names.
The Charles H. and Katherine Hughes Trigg Athletic Endowment and the Katherine Hughes Trigg and Charles H. Trigg Presidential Scholarships Program remain in their memory.
If not for the Triggs’ love for SMU and its students, the Hughes-Trigg Student Center would not be able to provide the numerous services it offers.
The center houses 150 organizational programs, food service areas, a post office, theater, 24-hour computer lab, game room, art gallery, ballroom, lounges and more. Most importantly, the student center maintains a social atmosphere and is a place for students and faculty to gather.
“We’re very happy to continue serving the campus community by what we have in the center and hope to continue providing that for years to come,” said Tim Moore, director of Hughes-Trigg Student Center.
