Did you know that the current home of the Ferreira-Mendes Portuguese-American Archives and the University Archives and Special Collections was once home to the campus television production studio? In 1972 when the library first opened, it was conceived as a Library Communication Center, with a full television production studio and audiovisual department integrated within the building.
SMU Television was established by early 1974 under the library division Instructional Media Services. Les Cory was the first director of Media Services. Robert Archer became co-director with Walter Frost soon after that, and then director for Television Services. Others who worked in the department and on programs included Roger Lavoie, Paul Souza, and Liz Bryne. Jim Feeley, in charge of graphic design for the campus, designed television sets. In addition to taping campus events, classroom teaching, and producing promotional and educational videotapes, SMU Television produced programs broadcast over the cable networks. There was a news program by Dick Owen and seniors Mike Laney and Bob Johnson in the 1970s early 1980s; a game show entitled “The Third Degree;” a comedy show “Mezzanine Madness” both in the 1970s; and “SMU Horizons” a public relations show which ran from 1984 to 1987. “Perspectives,” its descendant, ran from about 1989 to 1992.