The dispute, which some critics say tests the church’s autonomy, reached the Texas Supreme Court on Wednesday for arguments.

Southern Methodist University urged the Texas Supreme Court on Wednesday to throw out a lawsuit by the Methodist Church seeking to regain control of the school. SMU's boa

DALLAS – Southern Methodist University has named a new president. Jay Hartzell, currently president of the University of Texas at Austin, will assume the title effective June 1 after a unanimous decision by the university's board of trustees.

The Texas Supreme Court is hearing a case over church control of Southern Methodist University (SMU) regarding a dispute with the institution on social issues such as strengthened restrictive policies toward LGBTQ people,

No. 3 Notre Dame hosts the SMU Mustangs after Sonia Citron scored 21 points in Notre Dame's 81-66 victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

UT Martin faces the SIU-Edwardsville Cougars after Vladimer Salaridze scored 23 points in UT Martin's 68-63 victory over the Eastern Illinois Panthers.

Send items for this column to Joyce Spencer, 817 Main St., Barboursville, WV 25504; email [email protected]; or fax 304-736-4522.

The Texas Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a case that could determine whether the United Methodist Church controls Southern Methodist University.

The case stems from a lawsuit the United Methodist Church’s South Central Jurisdictional Conference, which runs the church’s congregations in eight states including Texas, filed against SMU 2019 over control over the university.

Southern Methodist University told Texas Supreme Court justices Wednesday it's controlled solely by its board of trustees, not the United Methodist Church.

The crux of the issue is who controls the university—its Board of Trustees or the church—following the university’s 2019 attempt to distance itself. This move occurred as the church adopted stricter policies on LGBTQ+ ordinations and marriages.

CHICKAMAUGA BATTLEFIELD VISITOR CENTER — 3370 LaFayette Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. "Mark Thrash — Local Legend, Civil Rights After the Civil War," Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park display of artifacts of the former slave and U.S. War Department employee. nps.gov/chch