Southwestern University
News at Southwestern
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The Story of Plastic
Southwestern University Receives Arts & Culture Grant from the City of Georgetown
The funding will enable SU to continue its Georgetown Green Film Series.
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Pursuing Passion Projects
Southwestern’s Lab for Innovative Ventures and Entrepreneurship empowers students to take an idea from concept to business plan.
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The Professor Chronicles: Erin Crockett
In an interview with Erin Crockett, associate professor of psychology, we learn that her talents and passions extend well beyond the classroom.
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Scholarly Perspectives on COVID-19, Part 4: Social Inequalities Writ Large
Maria Lowe, Southwestern professor of sociology, discusses how the coronavirus pandemic has revealed and exacerbated racial disparities.
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Sustainable Furniture Comes to Southwestern
Rooms in two residence halls will be furnished with environmentally friendly bed frames, dressers, desks, and mattresses.
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Scholarly Perspectives on COVID-19, Part 3: Pandemic Economics
Southwestern professors Saroj Dhital and Dirk Early explain the impacts of the pandemic on the U.S. economy.
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Supporting Environmental Activism and Personal Growth on Campus
Members reflect on how Students for Environmental Activism and Knowledge (SEAK) inspires and educates them beyond the classroom.
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Professor Chronicles: Dirk Early
The Hugh Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair in Economics shares his thoughts on his students, his dream vacation, and his 26 years at Southwestern.
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The Professor Chronicles: Alicia Moore
The well-loved SU associate professor reflects on what she finds inspiring and rewarding as a career educator of educators.
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Training for a Thoughtful Future
History and political science double major Meredith Murphy ’16 reflects on the many benefits of a liberal-arts education.
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Southwestern Business Professor Provides Reading Advice for Entrepreneurs
Associate Professor of Business Debika Sihi shares her recommendation in Forbes.
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It’s Just Not the Same, Part 4
Southwestern faculty reflect on how remote teaching might change how they teach in the classroom when campus life resumes this fall.
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It’s Just Not the Same, Part 3
SU faculty get creative in retooling their classes while students face the many difficulties of distance learning during the pandemic.
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It’s Just Not the Same, Part 2
SU faculty reflect on the challenges—and some unexpected rewards—of moving their classes online.
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Faith in Diversity
Sevara Sobhani ’20 cherishes how the Bahá’í Faith and the Southwestern community are devoted to inclusivity and independent thinking.
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Southwestern Alumna Appointed President and CEO of the United Way of Greater Houston
Current Board of Trustee Amanda McMillian ’95 has most recently served as chair of SU’s Presidential Search Advisory Committee.
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Happy Accidents
Serendipity led Kristin Ellermann ’10 to major in Latin American studies, study abroad, join the Peace Corps, and become an educator.
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“The Best of Both Worlds”
For student–athletes Ben Patterson ’17 and Michael Patterson ’17, the Southwestern Experience included a foray into entrepreneurship.
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In Good Company: Building a Climate of Sustainability at SU
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” —Archbishop Desmond Tutu
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A Life Well Lived
Julia Byrom Whatley ’44 reflects on Southwestern in the World War II era, her military service, and her 30-year teaching career.
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It’s a Journey, Not a Race
For Lindsey Knapton ’10, the Southwestern Experience, the Peace Corps, and a job at the Texas Senate shaped her current path as an assistant attorney general.
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The Lure of History and Historical Fiction
Southwestern faculty and students study history through the lens of pop culture.
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Southwestern University Student Honored as Newman Civic Fellow
Music and political science double major Maureen Rendón ’21 is recognized as a campus leader for her commitment to public service.
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Southwestern Welcomes Path-Breaking Global Environmental History Scholar John McNeill to Campus
McNeill will deliver a public lecture on the global ecological impacts of the Industrial Revolution during the 2020 History Colloquium.
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Shakespeare across Time, Languages, and Disciplines
Associate Professor of Theatre Sergio Costola and Associate Professor of English Michael Saenger coordinated a seminar on translating Shakespeare at an international conference in Rome.
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No Worries, Mate: Appreciating the Ups and Downs Down Under
One Southwestern student’s experience studying abroad in Australia
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Southwestern University Warmly Welcomes Civil Liberties Expert Nadine Strossen during the Civil Discourse Festival
The student organizers of the SU Project for Civil Discourse will host a two-day event culminating in an election watch party on Super Tuesday.
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Leveraging a History Degree
Lily Rodriguez ’19 shares how her history major allowed her to succeed in a journalism internship with the Laredo Morning Times.
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A History Major in the Nation’s Capital
Lily Rodriguez ’19 conducts archival research while interning at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in Washington, DC.
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The Arbor Day Foundation Program Honors Southwestern University with a 2019 Tree Campus USA Award
Southwestern University has earned a 2019 Tree Campus USA recognition for its contributions to urban forest conservation.
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With Job in Hand
Finding a postgrad job is of no concern for Johnson Elrod ’20 thanks to the J. P. Morgan Chase Leadership Development Program.
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Great Unexpectations
Carlie Sulpizio ’13 reflects on her serendipitous path as an SU anthropology major, a Peace Corps volunteer, and a global-health researcher.
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Southwestern University Student Awarded Gilman International Scholarship
Anthropology major Alex Bell ’21 will study comparative education and social change in Santiago, Chile.
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Southwestern Becomes the 87th Bee Campus USA
SU is certified by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
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Pursuing a Passion and Embracing Discovery
Associate Professor of English Jim Kilfoyle shares his experiences as a student and teacher of English.
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Wander Like Water
Southwestern alumni adventurers raise awareness about water and educate the public about sustainability.
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Making a Difference
From Senegal to New York City, Kadidiatou Magassa ’13 has served communities as a Peace Corps volunteer, a domestic-violence case manager, and a coordinator for a children’s nonprofit.
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Advocacy beyond Campus
Economics major Diana Treviño ’20 connects a summer research experience with a pre-law internship.
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Baroque Economic Beauty
Southwestern undergraduates explore the beauty of global economics through artful data visualization.
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National Security, International Relations, and Diplomacy Expert to Speak at Southwestern
Robert Hutchings will visit SU on Thursday, November 14, 2019.
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Associate Professor of Economics and Business Featured in Adweek
Professor Debika Sihi explains why retailers need to learn how to effectively juggle in-store and online shopping.
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The River and The Wall: A Wide Lens on Our Southern Border
Southwestern will screen the SXSW award-winning documentary on February 27, 2020.
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Professor Emily Sydnor featured in Washington Post
The Washington Post political science blog The Monkey Cage published Sydnor’s piece about the MLB World Series, the booing of President Donald Trump during game five, and the findings from her new book.
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Finding the Way to Southwestern
Studio art major Maria Garcia ’21 reflects on her experiences as a transfer student at SU.
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The Environmental Diaries
Environmental studies major and architecture and feminist studies double minor Lois Durant ’20 shares her journey in environmental policy in the non-profit sector.
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Paideia Connections 2019
Southwestern’s exclusive lecture series invites audiences to consider art and psychology.
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Southwestern Studio Art Major Interns with Diversity in Arts Leadership
Maria Elena Garcia ’21, a business minor, provides an insider’s view of the 10-week internship.
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Voting on Southwestern University Campus up in 2018
According to a national study, college-student voting doubled nationwide, and SU surpassed other institutions’ voting rate.
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Southwestern Students Spend Summer Working at the Federal Reserve Bank
Rebecca Richardson ’20, a business major with a double minor in data science and communication studies, shares her experiences as a Fed intern.
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Education Major Awarded Southwestern University’s 20th TASPA Scholarship
Senior Abigail Luna is the 20th recipient from SU to earn the Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators scholarship.
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Curating the Arts
Art history major and Spanish minor Kyle Leon ’20 spent the summer as an intern at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
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A View into the Nation’s Arts Ecosystem
Current senior Ellie Crowley describes how interning with the National Endowment for the Arts connects to her past experiences at SU and has shaped her future career path.
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Creating Lifelong Memories
Business major T. J. Vela ’19 shares his memories of a marketing internship with the Round Rock Express Minor League Baseball team.
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Southwestern Student Engages in Two Transformative Summer Internships
Business and economics major and data science minor Philip Moffatt ’20 shares his thoughts on working at the Texas Methodist Foundation and Morgan Stanley.
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Southwestern Sumners Scholars Explore Internships in DC
The Hatton W. Sumners Scholars Program creates high-impact experiences for SU’s best and brightest.
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History Professor Wins Prestigious NEH Grant
Assistant Professor of History Jethro Hernández Berrones was awarded a 2019 Summer Stipend by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Inside Baseball
Student-athlete Blair Orr ’19 shares his experiences as a marketing intern with the Round Rock Express.
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A Student of the World
Hailing from Paraguay, Valentina Olivieri-Puentes ’19 reflects on the international student–athlete experience at Southwestern University.
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Professor of Religion and Environmental Studies Weighs in on Pet-Friendly Cities
Austin named fourth pet-friendliest large city in the U.S.
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The Working Artists of New York City
Sam Russek ’19 describes his time in New York City interning with the Awards Department of PEN America and Bloomsbury Publishing, mingling with working writers, and taking in all the Big Apple has to offer.
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Our Shared Humanity
Darrel Young ’61 reflects on his experiences as a first-wave volunteer in the Peace Corps.
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Emma Davis ’14 Is on a Boat!
The environmental studies major is sailing around the world while practicing sustainable living.
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A Transformative Undergraduate Experience
Danyale Kellogg ’19 engaged in multiple internships, from the U.S. House of Representatives to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and studied abroad twice during her college career.
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My Summer in D.C.
Conner Joyce ’19 spends his summer interning with the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs in Washington, D.C.
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More than Politics
Political science and history double major Teresa Cropper ’20 believes that civic engagement is about “bettering your community through engagement.”
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Uncovering Hidden Histories
Southwestern students explore workers’ rights in Asian-American communities.
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Seeking—and Finding—Change
Psychology major Henna Karedia ’19 experiences new cultures while studying abroad.
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A Head for Numbers
Jared Welsh ’19 interned at the Brown University Investment Office and served as the trader in Southwestern’s Financial Analyst Program.
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The Impact of Community-Engaged Learning
Southwestern’s Spanish III students volunteer in community-partnered classrooms, practicing their language skills and mentoring elementary-school students.
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![“Tanzania was the greatest opportunity to see [the cats and other animals] in their natural habitat.” - Sarah Barton '20](/live/image/gid/30/width/600/height/400/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2400,3200/32438_D7BB017C-AEA9-4EF3-BEC0-F6D81B553939.rev.1556818556.jpg)
On the Plains of Africa
Sarah Barton ’20 spent a semester studying wildlife management at the School for Field Studies in Tanzania.
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EPA Recognizes Southwestern University As 2017-18 College and University Green Power Conference Champion
Southwestern University beat our conference rivals by using more than 18 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power, representing 100 percent of the school’s annual electricity use.
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Professor of Political Science’s Article Published by Millennium Journal
Dr. Eric Selbin’s article “Resistance and Revolution in the Age of Authoritarian Revanchism: The Power of Revolutionary Imaginaries in the Austerity-Security State Era” was recently published by Millennium: Journal of International Studies.
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It’s Not Easy Being Green
Southwestern Associate Professor of Environmental Studies Joshua Long explores the social-justice impacts of cities implementing climate-resilient policy and planning.
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Life in 491 Miles and 107 Square Feet
Christina Hadly ’13, an art history and business double major, has traded in a conventional corporate career for a life of adventure and independence.
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Southwestern Featured in Smithsonian Magazine
A recent Smithsonian article, “Is a Texas Town the Future of Renewable Energy?,” wonderfully highlighted our city’s and Southwestern’s commitment to sustainability.
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Building Dreams
Southwestern alum Julien Meyrat ’98 is a senior designer at global design and architecture firm Gensler.
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Southwestern Undergrads Study Cardiovascular Medicine at UTHealth
Dr. Eyal Porat P’21 coordinates summer internships for SU students.
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The Magic of Studying Abroad
Ellie Crowley ’19 spent Fall 2018 learning, growing, and opening her mind in Córdoba, Argentina.
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Laura Rativa ’20 Recognized as a 2019 Newman Civic Fellow
Communication studies and political science double major Laura Rativa ’20 reflects on SU’s role in nurturing her lifelong dedication to servant–leadership.
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The Staying Power of the Humanities
Why a degree in the humanities is just as important as a degree in STEM.
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The Truth about Joining a Sorority
English major and communication studies and business minor Marissa Morin ’19 examines how Southwestern breaks common stereotypes of undergraduate Greek life.
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Mission: Possible
Southwestern alumna Madge Vásquez ’94 is now the CEO of nonprofit Mission Capital.
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Playing the Stock Market in Real Life
Students in Southwestern’s Financial Analyst Program are responsible for managing a hefty portion of the University’s endowment.
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Arbor Day Foundation Honors Southwestern University with 2018 Tree Campus USA® Recognition
Southwestern University was honored with a 2018 Tree Campus USA ® recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management.
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An Education by Experience
Worth Payton ’18 demonstrates the importance of learning about oneself and connecting with others in building success.
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Fulfilling the Dreams of Many
Shauna Davidson ’08 helps build primary schools and empower children to overcome poverty in Northern Uganda.
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The Human Impact on Earth
Interdisciplinary scholars and artists explore the Anthropocene at Southwestern’s Brown Symposium XXXIX.
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The Business of Show Business
Savannah Ritz ’20, theater and business major, travels the world supporting the dramatic arts.
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Connecting the World
Marie Nugpo ’18, Southwestern Information Technology, and the Coalition for Diversity and Social Justice received a certificate of appreciation for bringing learning technology tools to a school in the Philippines.
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The Science and Art of Salamanders
Kira McEntire ’13 explores creative expression while teaching and researching wildlife biology.
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Looking out for the Community
Inspired by a service trip to Honduras during one eye-opening spring break, Megan Schubert Leese ’01 now champions public health.
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Debika Sihi: Understand Your Consumer
Learn more about Assistant Professor of Business Debika Sihi and her love for research marketing strategy in her recent interview with Giraffe Social Media.
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Championing Civil Discourse in an Era of Partisan Rancor
Southwestern students tackle the complexities of political division.
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Without Work, There Are No Kolaches
Heath Dollar ’92, an educator, musician, and published author, wins the 2018 Texas Observer Short Story Contest.
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Southwestern Featured in the 2018 Edition of the The Princeton Review Guide To 399 Green Colleges
SU is once again recognized for its commitment to sustainability.
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Moody Fellow Studies Abroad in Argentina
Armando Vidana ’19 expands his worldview and builds lifelong relationships in Buenos Aires.
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Southwestern Hosts Screening of Dirt Rich and a Q&A with Filmmaker Marcelina Cravat
The award-winning film—a powerful documentary about using regenerative agricultural practices, reforestation, and conservation strategies to combat climate change—comes to campus on Nov. 8.
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World-Renowned History Scholar Carole Levin Visits Southwestern
Dr. Levin will deliver a public lecture—and students and faculty will stage a reading of her new play—during the 2018 History Colloquium.
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Southwestern Students Win the Young Invincibles’ Voter Action Plan Contest
Promoting civic participation, the campus plan wins the top spot among entries submitted by four-year colleges.
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The Bright Light Social Hour Performs at Pirate Parrrty!
The award-winning band, founded by SU alumni Curtis Roush ’05 and Jackie O’Brien ’07, returns to campus for a performance hosted by FNL Presents.
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Southwestern Alumna Founds International Schools
Rebecca Skinner, SU ’96 and founder of the International School of Brooklyn, helps build the new Dwight School Dubai as associate head of school.
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Southwestern Education Major Wins TASPA Scholarship
Quincy Holland ’19 is the nineteenth recipient from SU to earn the Texas Association of School Personnel Administrators
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Southwestern Undergraduates Present and Publish Their Groundbreaking Research
Devon Lucero ’19 and Chantal Gonzalez ’19 engage with experts at an international neuroscience conference and coauthor publications in animal behavior.
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Psychology Professor and SU Alumni Research Perceptions of Sexting
Newsweek and Refinery29 write articles highlighting Dr. Traci Giuliano’s new research.
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From Southwestern to the Supreme Court
SU student Laura Rativa ’21 has her sights set on becoming a U.S. Supreme Court justice.
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Alumna Researches the Screening of Hepatitis C in Babies
Alumna Dr. Catherine Chappell ’03 finds that fewer than a third of infants exposed to hepatitis C are later screened to monitor and treat the potentially fatal virus.
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Professor of Religion Dr. Laura Hobgood’s Book “A Dog’s History of the World” Featured in Psychology Today
Dr. Hobgood was recently interviewed in an article on her 2014 book A Dog’s History of the World: Canines and the Domestication of Humans.
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Why Waste Your Time With a “Throw-Away” Degree
How a Classics degree helped one SU alumnus gain acceptance into highly competitive T14 law schools.
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Alumna heads to MIT for graduate study in city planning
A biology and environmental studies graduate, Vanessa Toro Barragan ’12 seeks to tackle climate change at the intersections of science and social justice. The flexible and interdisciplinary Master in City Planning (MCP) program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) will allow her to do just that.
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Natalie DeCesare SU ‘19 Honored as a 2018 Newman Civic Fellow
The Newman Civic Fellowship “recognizes and supports community-committed students who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country.”
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Southwestern Professor of Psychology Dr. Fay Guarraci Led Students in Groundbreaking Research Regarding the Effects of Ketamine on Sexual Behavior in Female Rats
This particular project provided a great experience for students to work in a lab setting, conducting research side-by-side with an expert in the field. What an amazing opportunity for undergraduate students.
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Southwestern Professors Effectively Handle Conflict In the Classroom
An article in today’s New York Times, “In a Volatile Climate on Campus, Professors Teach on Tenterhooks ,” discusses the politically charged climate on college campuses and specific ways faculty prepare for and handle conflict in the classroom.
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Sustainability Begins with “SU”
Evidence of the school’s eco-minded efforts are visible in every corner of campus, from the solar panels on Heather Hall to the water bottle refill stations, rainwater collection barrels, single stream recycling, and much more.
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Chelsey Clammer, SU ‘05, Releases New Book, Circadian, Winner of the Red Hen Press Nonfiction Manuscript Award
“I take a different approach to storytelling, and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the critical thinking skills I learned at Southwestern.” - Chelsey Clammer ’05
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Noor Tagouri, a first-generation Libyan American, Journalist and Activist to Present Breaking Barriers Through Storytelling at Southwestern
Noor’s presentation, Breaking Barriers Through Storytelling, shares a universally powerful message of acceptance and embracing individuality in a multicultural society.
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Gilman Scholarship Winner Studying Abroad in Morocco
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Winner Dakota Cortez,’19, studying Migration and Transnational Identity in Morocco.
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Southwestern’s 2017 Borderlands Symposium on Contemporary Borderlands Culture and Literature to Feature Award-Winning Educator and Author Dr. Norma Elia Cantú
Southwestern to host second annual Borderlands Symposium Thursday, Sept. 28th.
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Georgetown Utility Systems Presents Check to Southwestern University
Payment Awarded for Participation in ERCOT’s Demand Response Program
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Hatton W. Sumners Scholars Program Recognizes Top Achievers
Southwestern checks in with Sumner Scholars including recent grads, rising seniors and the newest class of scholars
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Southwestern adds Animal Studies, Data Science, Health Studies and International Studies minors
Four new minors to begin in Fall 2017
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Southwestern University SCOPE Scholars Launch Ozonesondes on Weather Balloons
Three Southwestern University students recently learned to launch instruments on weather balloons that measure the concentration of ozone in the atmosphere.
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SU Student Presented His Startup at DivInc’s Demo Day
Southwestern student Donté Houston pitched his startup Voya to investors at DivInc’s Demo Day on June 29th.
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SU Professor and Bob Dylan Expert David Gaines Traveled to Sweden for Nobel Week
David Gaines shares his “once-in-a-lifetime” experience in Sweden when Bob Dylan awarded the Nobel Laureate in Literature.
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Southwestern’s Theatre Department Prospers With New Approaches to Recruitment and Retention
Theatre Department takes deliberate steps to deepen and broaden students’ knowledge of theatre studies while making the degree even more relevant in the outside world.
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SU Magazine Features the Latina History Project
Southwestern’s Latina History Project provides context through connections.
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EPA Recognizes Southwestern University as a Green Power Champion
Southwestern University wins with green power.
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House of Cards Actress Suzanne Savoy to Perform One-Woman Show at Southwestern University
Southwestern University to host Suzanne Savoy as she performs “Je Christine: A Medieval Woman In Her Own Words” on Monday, April 24, at 5 p.m.
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Southwestern Professor Joseph Hower Receives National Endowment for Humanities Stipend for New Book
Historian will use $6000 award to fund research trips and writing this summer.
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Alexandria Colurciello, Class of 2017, Represents Southwestern at Undergraduate Research Showcase at the Capitol
Senior’s work in public policy exemplifies SU student-led research.
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Four Receive Sumners Scholarships
Four Southwestern students have been selected to receive Hatton W. Sumners Scholarships beginning in fall 2017.
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Southwestern English Professor David Gaines Reflects on Bob Dylan’s Nobel Prize
English professor loves sharing his knowledge of Bob Dylan, and applauds Dylan’s Nobel Prize.
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Art and Political Science Major Recognized as One of 15 Emerging Artists with Disabilities
VSA, the international organization on arts and disability, selects Southwestern senior’s artwork for national traveling exhibition.
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Alumna Gains Hands-on Experience at the Library of Congress
Prestigious internship affords 2016 graduate rare opportunity to work with historical objects.
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Southwestern Students Create Energy Efficient Water Recycling System
Southwestern physics majors use energy efficient water recycling to protect Fountainwood Observatory equipment from Texas heat.
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Southwestern Student Receives Teaching Assistantship in France for 2013-2014
Alejandra Benitez will spend the year teaching in Reims