Rev. Dr. Stephen Rankin, Student body President Austin Prentice, Dr. Lori White, Caren Prothro, Dr. R. Gerald Turner, Ruth Altshuler, Carl Sewel, and Dr. Paul Ludden break ground at the residential commons complex groundbreaking and dedication ceremony Friday afternoon in Doak Walker Plaza. (Spencer J Eggers/The Daily Campus)

Despite the rain Friday afternoon, Board of Trustee member Carl Sewell (’66) remarked that the reign of President R. Gerald Turner continues into SMU’s next 100 years.

Members of the Dallas community joined SMU students, administration and alumni to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Residential Commons and dedicate the Centennial Cornerstone during the second annual Founder’s Day Weekend.

The Residential Commons, which is scheduled to open in 2014, will consist of five residential buildings that will house 1,250 first and second year students as well as faculty. It will also contain a shared dining hall and a parking structure.

“The Residential Complex really helps identify a tie between student life and academic life,” Turner said.

This multi-million dollar complex will create a stronger sense of community for freshmen and sophomores, while supporting and sustaining student development.

“It creates a new and innovative living and learning experience for generations to come,” Dr. Lori White, vice president of student affairs, said. “It’s the perfect way to mark the century.”

Noting that a residential commons is not uncommon in universities striving for higher education, Provost Paul Ludden said that it is a critical component of SMU’s Second Century Campaign.

“It’s our lasting mark on this campus during the centennial and into the unbridled future,” he said.

Celebrating the laying of the cornerstone of Dallas Hall on Thanksgiving Day in 1912, SMU honored the vision of SMU’s founders by dedicating the Centennial Cornerstone 100 years later.

“This cornerstone is a symbol of our gratitude,” Sewell said.

These were only two of SMU’s many accomplishments honored during Friday’s event. Turner announced that as of this week, SMU has reached $610 million of the Second Century Campaign’s goal of $750 million.

“This is our contribution to the future – the next 100 years,” he said. “Our purpose is to open the doors and begin the second century.”

Turner also acknowledged the final phase of SMU’s Centennial Master Plan to build and renovate campus facilities with the renovation of Moody Coliseum, Fondren Library Center and the Memorial Health Center, which is to be renamed the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center; the expansion of the tennis complex; and, construction of the Mustang Band Hall.

He also revealed the generous gift of $5 million from Paul (’68) and Penny Loyd. This donation will go towards the Loyd Commons, which will be located on the east side of campus across from the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

Student Body President Austin Prentice reflected on SMU’s first 100 years, noting the accomplishments the university has made.

“Now is the best time to be a Mustang,” he said. “God bless and go Mustangs.”

Video shot by Eric Sheffield ([email protected]) and Kent Koons ([email protected]). Edited by Kent Koons.