b&w photograph
Excellent condition
Dr. Ken Ozmon (SMU President 1979-2000) speaking in the McNally Theatre Auditorium during Convocation. In the front row to the sign language interpreter's left is Dr. Jabbra (VP Academic, white tassel on cap); to right of the sign language interpreter is Elizabeth Chard (white hair, wearing cap, History faculty from 1961, then Registrar 1973-2005, also instrumental in establishing women's varsity sports at SMU). Seated fourth to the right of the podium is Archbishop Hayes (balding, wearing glasses, Arts class of 1943, Chancellor 1970-1980), and second from the right is Laurie Smith (white hair, no cap, Arts class of 1943, here Director, Admissions and Scholarships). This auditorium space was the main level of the original chapel (built in 1953, complete with altar). After being renovated to its present form (with the stage moved to the east wall and the auditorium seating in the west wall, adjoining McNally Building), the reinvented auditorium was officially opened on March 1 1982.
In 1989 the chapel's double-height basement gymnasium was converted into two levels housing the Faculty Lounge, IT office, The Den computer lab, and classrooms, all of which is now known as the McNally East wing while still retaining the external facade of the original 1953 church.