Catholic Campus Ministry at Southern Methodist University
1932-2007
The first 75 years
Southern Methodist University
An Early History
In 1911, the Methodist Episcopal Church South chose Dallas as the future home of Southern Methodist University. Robert Stewart Hyer, a physicist from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas was elected its first president. The cornerstone for Dallas Hall was laid on Thanksgiving Day in 1912. At one time, the site of all classes and compulsory Methodist chapel services, Dallas Hall continues to be the center of the university.
By 1915, the university began to flourish with additional buildings, resident housing, football, sororities and fraternities and a definite Methodist character in its university religious life. Harvard crimson and Yale blue were chosen as the university colors and the school’s motto, “Veritas Liberabit Vos”- “the truth will make you free”- was chosen by President Hyer. The school mascot, “Peruna,” made his debut along with the Mustang football team. By 1917, the enrollment was 467. City students could take the streetcar “Eulid”, which ran down Hillcrest, to classes.
Campus Religious Life
By 1923, various religious denominations began to appear and organize under the banner of “Christian Service Club.” According to Claiborne Johnson (deceased), Catholic students met informally and attended Mass together as a group. By 1932, the Newman Club was formalized under the Board of Control of Christian Activities. There were forty active members including Claiborne Johnson (one of its first presidents), Lewis Grinnan, Alex Meletio, and Margaret and Rose Scottino (all deceased). The Newman Club’s mission and purpose was “to promote religion, scholastic, and social welfare of Catholic students of SMU. [The Newman Club] was named for Cardinal Newman[1], and dedicated to the principles he taught and practiced.” (The Rotunda[2], 1933). During these formative years, all students at SMU were required to attend compulsory chapel services as well as to complete a Bible course regardless of denominational identification.
Charles Galvin, former Dean of the Law School at SMU, remembers his time as a student in the mid thirties. His memory of Mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church and going to breakfast was the highlight of his week. The group also met in host homes. He and fellow student Lucy Grimman visited with Bishop Lynch regarding the Catholic community of students and their desire for aCatholic priest to serve the needs of the students.
The War Years
In 1942, the United States entered the war and many of the male students at Southern Methodist enlisted. President Umphrey Lee issued a Lenten Devotional booklet encouraging the university community to join in prayer for the country and military.
Following the war, SMU experienced an increase in enrollment owing to the return of veterans. It was during this time that the Newman Club became known as St. Mary’s Club under the direction of Father Joseph Riley (1945). The president of the club was veteran Oliver Joyce. The purpose and mission of the St. Mary’s Club was to “create fellowship and friendship among 100 members of the denomination at SMU. As well as education, it also provides entertainment for its members.” (Rotunda 1947)
St. Mary’s Club flourished under the leadership of Father Riley. In 1954, the Newman Club was reinstated as the official Catholicorganization under the guidance of Fathers Fredrick Mosman and Ed Maher.
The Paulists
In 1957, the Paulist priests came to SMU. Father Frederick Draeger, CSP was appointed chaplain followed by Fathers Walter Dalton, John Weber and Joseph Drew CSP. In June of 1957, the Diocese leased property located at 3160 Daniel to house the Newman Center. Msgr. Bender of Christ the King and Holy Trinity Catholic Churches supported the ministry financially. The Paulists were known for their progressive and ecumenical work at SMU. Meetings were held on Wednesday nights with open forums for religious education and social interest to student life. Mass was held in the small chapel of the center and during the week in the office of Fr. Joe Drew. Students benefited from the instruction of the Paulists during the many changes brought about by Vatican II. There were now two Masses celebrated on campus in Selecman Hall; 9:45am and 5:00pm. It was reported that Catholics outnumbered the Methodists on campus.
Growth of religious life organizations also emerged during this period ministering to the now diverse religious communities on campus. These communities came under the guidance of the Coordinator of Religious Activity. Rev. Claude Evans served as Chaplain to the University during this time and welcomed the diversity of religious expressions on campus. The sixties was also a time of increased ecumenical activity among the Methodist and Catholic communities. Vatican II opened the door to an increased desire for open dialogue and study. SMU’s Perkins School of Theology professor Albert Outler, a leading Methodist theologian at the time, was present at the Second Vatican Council as an official observer.
Following the departure of the Paulists, the Catholic community found itself once again without an officially appointed chaplain to the Catholic community. The property on Daniel was returned to the university. Charles Galvin, now Dean of the Law School along with faculty member Ann Early made an impassioned plea for Bishop Thomas Gorman to place someone at the university. For the next several years, the community was served by appointed priest of the Diocese which included Fathers Joseph Schumacher, Msgr. S.J. Bender, David Fellhaer, Richard Johnson, Robert Sykora, John R. Cawley, C.M. and Luke Miranda who offered Mass and tended to the spiritual needs of the Catholic community.
The Jesuits
Beginning in 1974, the Jesuits began a ministry to the Catholic community. Fr. Bob McCown, SJ served as chaplain until 1982 followed by his brother, Fr. Hooty McCown, SJ who left in 1984. According to Patricia Hasbrouck Martin ‘76, who served under Fr. McCown as assistant and music minister, these were years of enormous growth. The name was changed to “CatholicCampus Ministry” and its motto was “Catholic Campus Ministry: Living, Loving, and Learning in God’s Light.” The logo, according to Ms. Martin, was an open Bible with a flame above it that symbolized the meaning of the motto.
Fr. Bob was known for his “walking homilies” and interchange dialogue with students relating to the Gospel message for the day. These conversations continued after Mass as students and community members gathered for coffee and donuts. The choir consisted of more than 30 members under Ms. Martin’s direction. Chaplain William M. Finnin became university chaplain in 1980 and continued to welcome the diversity of religious communities to the campus of SMU and often participated in ecumenical worship with the Catholic community. Father Richard McGowan, SJ served 1984-1985.
In 1985, Father Michael Duca – now Bishop of the Diocese of Shreveport – was appointed part time chaplain and served the needs of students with VESS volunteers Julie Pellinger Fulkerson, Rebecca Predota and Theresa Burke (deceased). The community continued to flourish under the now full time campus staff of Fr. Mike and Julie. Fr. Mike moved into a small bungalow leased house located on the corner of University and Airline which also served as a meeting place for community activities.
In 1989, Judy Henneberger joined Fr. Mike as full-time campus minister. Together they initiated new programs serving the ongoing needs of students and adult community members. Mass was celebrated in Perkins Chapel at 9:00am and 5:00pm. An advisory board was formed and a constitution was formulated that would help guide the ministry in the future. The early board members included Joe McHugh, Isabelle Collora, and Bill Bridge who were instrumental in capturing the vision of this continuing vital ministry at SMU.
Building a Permanent Home
Fr. Mike began envisioning a Catholic center and with the encouragement of several members of the Catholic community, pursued the idea building a permanent home for the Catholic community at SMU and a chapel for the Holy Eucharist. Together with Judy and others, the campaign began with “Now Is The Time” initiative that evolved into a capital campaign that began to take shape with the purchase of the property on the corner of Airline and University and the construction of a student center. Within 18 months, full funding for the building and furnishings was completed and the Thomas Hudson Neuhoff and Judy Austin NeuhoffCatholic Student Community Center was dedicated in 1996. Fr. Mike served officially until 1994 followed by Fathers Robert Williams, Mike Barrone and Jeremiah Cullinane. Ms. Henneberger left in 2000 to serve as Assistant Chaplain to the University. Michelle Freeman served as campus minister from 2000- 2004.
Ministry till 2007
In 2002, Deacon Bronson Havard was assigned as Chaplain to the Catholic community at SMU becoming its first deacon-chaplain. In 2004, Frank Santoni became campus minister and a year later was named Co-Director along with Deacon Havard. Under their direction, a growing staff and volunteer community continued to serve the more than 2,500 Catholic students living and studying at the University. The vision is “to be a profound presence in university life inspired by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
SMU Catholic Today
When Deacon Bronson retired in 2008, Fr. Tony joined the ministry as our Chaplain. In the Fall of 2009, John Paul Lichon joined our ministry as a full time campus minister and music minister and Sammy Argumaniz joined as a graduate intern.
Contributors: Bob McCown, SJ, Patricia H. Martin, Charles Galvin, Claiborne Johnson, Judy Henneberger, Rev. Joseph Schumacher, SMU Archives and Diocese of Dallas Archives.
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