As an SMU alumnus, I have always hoped that one of my children would one day attend SMU.
About a month ago, good news came in the mail. In a big, red envelope, my oldest son received the information that he will be SMU bound this fall. I began to shed tears of joy at the news. I would like to share the story of my son’s journey to SMU.
When my son, Gerry, was born in 1993, I began my master propaganda plan immediately. That fall my wife and I took Gerry to SMU football games in a snuglie. Gerry began coming that winter with us to SMU basketball games. I had begun my campaign to win my son’s heart for SMU as early as I could.
Through the years, I have told stories of my days on the Hilltop in the early 1970s to my son. I have recounted classes with my favorite professors. I have told him about the great music that the Mustang Band has always played.
I have told him about the Pigskin Revue in my senior year when Mr. Bob Hope came to Moody Coliseum to perform at that wonderful homecoming show. I was trying to show him how great the college experience would be for him if he attended SMU someday.
My son was gifted with a good mind and an excellent work ethic. He has made A’s almost all through his school years. He has worked very hard to do his best in his 13 years of school thus far. He has excelled on AP courses and on College Board exams.
He initially was going to apply to several schools just to give him options for his college future. However, when it came to actually apply, he applied only to SMU and to Clemson University (his mother’s alma mater).
As it turns out, both schools have accepted him and offered him equal amounts of scholarships. He knew that I would support him no matter where he decided to go. But to my joy, he told me that he was sold on SMU, while appreciating the offer from Clemson.
So my work was done. My first born will be attending SMU this coming fall. He hopes to study on a pre-med track and possibly head to medical school after SMU. He hopes to continue also to study music and to play his beloved tuba.
He has told me that he is going to audition for my beloved Mustang Band. Everything that I had hoped for him is coming to fruition after all. My oldest son is going to be an SMU Mustang just like his dad.
Stewart is a 1975 graduate of SMU.
