Spirit and traditions

Pro Tip: Download the Game Day app

Download the ҹɫAthletics app (available for and ) and download your student ticket or your QR code before game day! That way, you can stroll right on in and cheer for the Mustangs without any hang-ups.

Video

The Mustang Experience

Student ambassadors Tony and Judith talk about all that campus life has to offer at SMU.

We take pride in the rich, century-long lore of the University.

What does ‘Veritas liberabit vos’ mean?

SMU’s motto translates to "The truth will make you free."

Chosen by SMU’s first president, the motto was adopted in 1912, and is featured across campus, including in the official ҹɫseal cast into the rotunda floor of SMU’s first building, Dallas Hall. 

ҹɫbanners at the game

What are the school colors?

To quote the :

Hail to the red and the blue!
We’re the Mustangs from SMU!

What is the ҹɫsong?

We proudly sing “Varsity” at University events from Opening Convocation to Commencement to sporting events. It was written by an ҹɫtheology student in 1916 and set to words by SMU’s first band director in 1929.

O, We see the Varsity, Varsity, Varsity;
As she towers o'er the hill over there,
And our hearts are filled with joy,
SMU, SMUAlma mater,
We'll be true forever.

Peruna running

What is the ҹɫmascot?

Peruna IX, is a miniature Shetland pony named after an early 20th-century medicine, Peruna Tonic — which was said to have a kick.

Where do we tailgate before football games?

At SMU, we like to say that we don’t tailgate — we Boulevard. Before home football games, you’ll find students, alumni and Mustang fans socializing up and down Bishop Boulevard.

It’s the perfect setting for brunching, block partying and just being in the moment with the whole Mustang family.

What is the Hilltop?

“The Hilltop” is what we call the ҹɫcampus. Our founders chose the highest point on campus to lay the cornerstone of Dallas Hall more than a century ago. 

From that spot, you could look at the beautiful city of Dallas — and toward a prosperous future. Today, the Hilltop is a tree-lined, 234-acre campus in the heart of one of the nation’s economic and cultural powerhouses.

How does ҹɫcelebrate Homecoming?

Every fall, the Mustang community gathers on the Hilltop to celebrate Homecoming. Through their organizations, students compete in a variety of activities as alumni gather together. 

This year, Homecoming is Oct. 31-Nov. 3.

There’s something for everyone during homecoming weekend. From across the street and around the world, alumni reconnect at reunion parties and an awards dinner, the Pigskin Revue, the Homecoming parade, and at Ford Stadium to cheer on the ’stangs.

A male cheerleader, wearing a red and blue short-sleeved ҹɫuniform, smiles as he raises his right arm and makes the "pony ears" hand gesture with his index and middle finger raised and slightly bent, on a sunny day on campus. Several female cheerleaders are nearby.

Pro Tip: Pony Ears

We use our “pony ears” hand symbol for pretty much all occasions — when posing for a photo, cheering on the Mustangs or singing our school songs. Start with a peace sign and let your first and middle fingers “relax” so that they’re slightly bent.

What is the Pigskin Revue?

During Homecoming Weekend, Mustangs take part in our longest running tradition, the Pigskin Revue. 

Started in 1933, this variety show features acts from groups across the community — students, faculty and alumni. The Mustang Band is heavily featured as participants sing, dance and even take part in some stand-up comedy.

What is PerunaPalooza?

To celebrate Peruna’s birthday, PerunaPalooza happens every spring. At the festival, students enjoy games, rides and activities while helping themselves to a variety of carnival-inspired free food.

Three female and two male students, dressed warmly and smiling, stand in front of Christmas lights on the ҹɫcampus. They are all smiling and several are making the pony ears hand gesture with their index and middle fingers in a V shape, slightly bent

What is the Celebration of Lights?

During the holiday season, ҹɫand surrounding communities gather to watch the famous Dallas Hall light up with thousands of lights. During this joyous occasion, guests gather on the Dallas Hall lawn for hot cocoa, cider and warm cookies while listening to holiday carols performed by ҹɫstudents. 

After ҹɫPresident R. Gerald Turner reads the Christmas Story, the special evening concludes with the singing of “Silent Night” and the lighting of Dallas Hall.

What is the Tate Lecture Series?

The Tate Lecture Series brings some of the world’s most interesting and provocative speakers to campus, including former presidents, commentators, futurists and artistic legends. 

For the 2024-25 academic year, guests scheduled to attend include Jane Goodall, Condoleezza Rice, Soledad O’Brien and Henry Winkler.
The Tate Lecture Series returns almost $1 million in student scholarships to the University annually.