Elyse Marriott’s family started the Marriott hotel chain.

Some media has coined SMU as “Southern Millionaire’s University.” Others have stereotyped it for its wealth and prowess.

They raise attention to the students who own handsome cars on campus and to some of the notable heirs and heiresses that have chosen to attend SMU.

But, what do these students have to say for themselves? Beyond their last names or assets, Elyse Marriott, Niki Sangani, Frances Moody and Deion Sanders Jr. agree that they are more than a name or a car, but instead see themselves as regular students.

NIKI SANGANI

Niki Sangani drives the yellow Lamborghini sometimes spotted on campus.

Rumor has it that she is a princess from Dubai or the daughter of an oil tycoon.

Sangani has not heard these rumors, but laughs at the claims that she is a princess. She tells her friends to spread that rumor because it is “so funny,” she said.

In reality, Sangani was born and raised in Mississippi in a small town by the ocean. After Hurricane Katrina, Sangani and her family moved to Dallas.

“Nobody was expecting it [Katrina],” she said. She said she thought it was “just another hurricane.”

Her home was destroyed. She remembers one day her family slept outside on the driveway because there was no power and it was hot in the house.

“It wasn’t easy.” But, “it turned out to be positive,” she said.

Sangani’s dad is a cardiologist who owns a real estate agency and her mother is artistic and good with her hands, said Sangani.

Sangani is a senior studying art and finance. She plays piano and loves reading.  She also loves music and keeps up with news.

“I’m really boring now that I think about it,” Sangani said when thinking about her daily routine.

Sangani describes herself as “tenacious,” “resolute” and “decisive.” She said her mom and dad are her guiding influence.

“Family is important to me,” she said.

In relation to her vehicle, Sangani said she is fortunate to have never had a negative experience. She said she has never felt excluded or judged or “at least in my face,” she joked. She said some people feel uncomfortable with her car, but she is not ashamed or prideful.

“I like to think I am humble, but there is room for improvement,” she said.

Sangani said her family has a philosophy for why they drive nice cars. “Anything with wheels is fine” said Sangani, but her dad believed if he provided Sangani and her sister with “material objects” that their focus would be beyond that, so that they could start “thinking big and helping others,” she said.

After graduation, Sangani wants to gain experience in the work world. Then, she plans to pursue her MBA. After, she wants to follow in her father’s footsteps and join his real estate company. She also has plans to be a CEO of a billion dollar company and make changes in society.

Sangani said she has only received one speeding ticket. And she knocked on wood.

ELYSE MARRIOTT

Likely to sport gym shorts, flip-flops and an SMU camouflage baseball cap, yes, Elyse Marriott is that Marriott.

To be a Marriott means “family” said Marriott. It is about working hard for others and “paying it forward,” she said.

She hails from Potomac, Md.

Marriott is a senior creative advertising major. She places her Mormon faith as a priority and finds being active a necessity for her daily routine.

The second Marriott sister of three to attend SMU, she chose the university because “people are friendlier in the south,” Marriott said. She said she also enjoys the small classes at SMU and the opportunities afforded to her in Dallas.

Marriott describes herself as a “busy body.”  She said “during the week I feel like a boring person,” but said she is extroverted and likes to be social.

Marriott said at times it is hard having her last name.  She said actions speak louder than words and Marriott is just a word.

One time, a guy introduced himself by his first name and specifically asked Marriott her last name. She said at that point she could tell he was “up to something.”  Marriott said after he heard her last name he introduced himself as “G.E.” for General Electric. Marriott said she stays away from people like that. Instead, she surrounds herself with people who love her for her character.

But overall, Marriott said she has never been treated differently.

“People are going to treat you how you present yourself,” Marriott said.

Marriott respects her parents for how they raised her. They were encouraging and placed importance on independence and education, she said.  Marriott said her dad is known for saying “don’t let your studies get in the way of your education.”

Marriott’s future plans are still in progress. She said she likes to “take thing as they come.” She said her ultimate goal is to be happy.

FRANCES MOODY

This half-Norwegian and half-American dual citizen is a sophomore from Galveston, Texas who studies sociology.

Her last name, most notable on the SMU campus for Moody Coliseum, is also associated with the Moody Foundation and Moody Gardens.

Moody said a personal challenge she faced was developing her own identity. She said in her family there is much to live up to and it can be difficult, but she knows she can do something big for herself.

As the third generation to be named Frances, coming from a line of SMU alumnae, Moody chose SMU because of its small class size and because “it’s a fun area,” she said.

Her interests range from traveling to fashion to walking her dog Nobel at Klyde Warren Park (who was named after Alfred Nobel who started the Nobel Peace Prize in Sweden) she said.

Moody describes herself as “sincere,” “congenial,” “sensitive,” and “loving.” She said people think she is “stuck up [and] snotty” but she said that is “the furthest thing from true.”

“Yes I come from a privileged family, but I am no different,” Moody said. She said she has to work hard to prove that she is not taking advantage of the privileges her last name offers.

“People think my life is perfect. They say, ‘Frances you are always so happy.’ No one’s life is perfect,” Moody said.

Her first year at SMU, Moody had some incidences with her last name. She said people texted her asking if she was Frances Moody, but she would not reply.  Another time, a guy said he wanted to marry her because he wanted to be a “trophy husband,” she said.

Now, when she introduces herself she just says her first name.

Moody said she is not ashamed of who she is. She said she is proud to have a “hardworking family.” She said Moody symbolizes “power and a well-respected family.”  She said her family has been around for generations and each member has created success in their own way.

In the future, Moody would like to make a difference in the world. This includes travelling to Africa. She hopes to work for a non-profit organization or work as a counselor. She said it is nice to have her parents’ legacy as backup, but she said she wants “her own thing.”

DEION SANDERS JR.

Deion Sanders Jr. is the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders.

He is a freshman from Flower Mound, Texas and a receiver on SMU’s football team.

Because football is a heavy load, in his spare time, Sanders said he hangs out with friends and family. He chose SMU for the reason that it was close to home.

“Great environment. Great people. Great academics,” said Sanders about SMU.

With football practice at 5:30 a.m., class, mandatory study hall, and football meetings Sanders said “[he likes] being laid back.”

He takes interest in music, people, friends and “in life,” Sanders said.

Sanders is undecided in his major, but he said he is ambitious in everything he does.

“I am ambitious in everything. Video games. Everything. I always want to win. I want to be the greatest,” said Sanders.

He is not sure where his ambition comes from or what drives it, but he said that he does not want his mother and sister to work.

“People say I can’t do it [and] that’s life,” Sanders said.

Sanders said he has faced “standard challenges” that accompany his last name. But, he said his last name is not “a real life problem.”

“Real problems are people who are dying. Like when a doctor tells you, you have one month to live. You get over that [a last name] in a sec. A last name isn’t a problem,” Sanders said.

Sanders establishes his own identity by working hard, he said.

For someone who does not know Sanders, he has no words for them.

“I won’t tell [people] anything. I’d just tell them to watch me,” he said.

He said he does not know how others perceive him and he has never been affected by his last name.

Sanders wants to continue the family legacy. “It’s a powerful name,” he said. He said no matter what occupation, even outside of football, he is going to be the best and “keep God first,” he said.

He said he is proud of himself and his family, but does not want to follow in his father’s footsteps.

“I’d want my dad to follow in my footsteps. I have a bigger foot,” Sanders said.

Frances Moody is the third Frances Moody in her family. The Moody’s most notable donated funds for SMU’s Moody Coliseum.

Deion Sanders, Jr. is the son of NFL legend Deion Sanders.