One Hundred Years on the Hilltop: The Centennial History of Southern Methodist University

On the occasion of its 100th anniversary, professor emeritus Darwin Payne has written the official Southern Methodist University centennial history. From humble beginnings on a Johnsongrass prairie miles from downtown Dallas, SMU has grown to be one of the leading private universities in the nation. But the ascent to prominence was not always assured and in fact the institution has dealt with periodic crisis in its history, involving finance, the changing role of the Methodist Church and religion in its life, athletics, social movements, academic freedom, corporate governance and politics. SMU's response to these conflicts over time is part of its particular story but also part of American cultural history. Payne tells this story well.