By Noah Bartos and Ryan Miller
SMU Opened the Crain Family Centennial Promenade April 15, complete with bricks bearing the inscription of anyone who wanted to donate $100. Most of the pavers are fairly simple, containing only a name and a class date, sometimes a major. However, in amongst the pavers are hidden some real gems of comedy and shenanigans. Here is The Daily Campus’ list of the top 10 pavers on the promenade:
#1: “I WONDER IF ANYONE WILL NOTICE THIS”
This gem is Located in 5-B. Purchased by Kyle Nakatsuka, a President’s Scholar who graduated in 2015. And yes, we noticed.
#2: “DON’T STAND HERE GO TO THE LIBRARY”
You heard her, get back and study! This brick is located in 1-D and was purchased by Michelle Hahn who works in the university’s library system.
#3: “THORTON TOMASETTI”
In itself, this isn’t a funny brick. What makes it better is that there are five of these identical bricks located next to each other in 4-D. Even better yet, these bricks are purchased by Patricia Coleman. Thorton Tomasetti is the name of a design firm in Dallas, so possibly these bricks were mistakenly put next to each other rather than spread out.
#4: “CLO SALISBURY A FERALS FRIEND”
The Feral Cats, always a famous fixture of SMU, are now immortalized in pavers on the Boulevard. This brick, located in 5-E and purchased by Brittany L. Knowles brings the cats into the center stage.
#5: “I AM BECAUSE OF SMU”
This deep and mysterious brick is located in 2-D and was purchased by Edward Lopez. I do not know the meaning of the brick, but the stark contrast and mystery of this brick set it apart.
#6: “GO TO BED… JACKSON ERB”
The message on this paver, found in 6-A, rings a bit too close to home, especially during finals week. Donated by Ryan D. Erb, this is perhaps a message to a relative who is a current Mustang.
#7: “LET’S COLLECT A BRICKLOAD OF BUCKS”
This witty one-liner of a paver simply sums up the primary goal of this entire Centennial Promenade: collecting a “brickload” of bucks. Swing by 7-E to get a quick laugh from this paver.
#8: “JACK, YOU DO YOU. MAKE LEMONADE”
After reading this paver for the first time, your reaction was surely a quick chuckle. This funny paver is likely playing on the popular saying “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Or it could be an encouraging message to Jack to chase his lifelong dreams of becoming a lemonade master. Find the paver in 8-A and decide for yourself.
#9: “GLAD I’M NOT UNDER A BRICK! RIP HALE78”
The fact that this brick is able to touch on so many levels of iron in those two short lines is simply remarkable. I am sure that “Hale78” is not thrilled that they are now under a brick for eternity… This paver can be found in 9-C and was donated by Richard P. Hale.
#10: “OINK OINK! MOO MOO! MOMMY DADDY”
This paver was worth every single penny of the $100 that it cost. If nothing else, it is an enduring relic of an inside joke and could surely be embarrassing for whoever it is directed at. Swing by 10-D to see this paver for yourself and thank David Kam for his hilarious donation to the Promenade.
