Hometown Glory

Dallas soars above rest of U.S. as top city for recent college grads

Now’s the time when recent college graduates must decide where to plant roots so they can begin the next phase of their lives. To help ease that transition, Homes.com and sister site ForRentUniversity.com determined the 10 most desirable cities in the United States for these budding young professionals.

Dallas ranked No. 2 on the list, just behind Atlanta. According to the site, our 8.67 percent rental vacancy rate translates to more affordable rent than most other comparable metros; median price for a one-bedroom apartment is $900.

With a mean entry-level income of $38,000, young Dallasites can enjoy the finer things, i.e., sports. Homes.com was impressed with our plethora of professional sports teams, which create an “abundance of athletic events” to attend. The site also noted our 5.8 percent unemployment rate (better than Atlanta’s 6.9 percent) and 17 nearby colleges and universities.

Right on Dallas’ heels was Houston, with a mean entry-level income of $41,000 — one of the highest in the nation. H-Town boasts a 5.7 unemployment rate and a median one-bedroom apartment price of $800. In part due to its 24 Fortune 500 companies, Houston has a “promising job market.”

In shocking news, Austin was not anywhere on this list. Oh snap.

To determine the 10 best cities for recent college grads, Homes.com and ForRentUniversity.com looked at mean entry-level income, average rent for a one-bedroom apartment, proximity to postgraduate institutions and social opportunities. Researchers also analyzed unemployment rates and the percentage of the population ages 25 to 34.

Here’s the complete list:

Atlanta, Georgia
Dallas, Texas
Houston, Texas
St. Louis, Missouri
Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota
Raleigh, North Carolina
Denver, Colorado
Seattle, Washington
Boston, Massachusetts
Washington, D.C.

The survey noted Dallas' 17 nearby colleges and universities, such as SMU.

Southern Methodist University/Facebook

The survey noted Dallas' 17 nearby colleges and universities, such as SMU.

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RIP Pete

Dallas businessman and former Schepps Dairy owner Pete Schenkel dies

Courtesy photo

Pete Schenkel

Dallas businessman Pete Schenkel, a philanthropist and former owner of Dallas-based Schepps Dairy, passed away at his Highland Park home on November 27 while in hospice care.

Born and raised in South Dallas where he worked on his father's dairy farm, Schenkel worked his way up from a Schepps Dairy deliverer to become an owner of the company in 1987. He went on to serve as President and owner of Southern Foods, which later sold to Suiza Foods and became Dean Foods, for which he also served as president and board member.

A statement from the city of Dallas says that Schenkel "leaves a legacy where he will be remembered for sharing his success with others and for his steadfast commitment to serve with pride and humility. Pete was unwavering in his dedication to making Dallas one of the safest large cities in the United States and was instrumental in promoting our economic growth and social vibrancy. We will strive to carry on his legacy by continuing to make Dallas a better place for all."

Founded by Harmon "Hymie" Schepps in 1942, Schepps Dairy traded hands and emerged from a bankruptcy under the primary ownership of Schenkel, who was Schepps' business partner. In 2000, the company was acquired by Suiza Foods Co., which then merged with Dallas-based Dean Foods the following year.

Schenkel was also involved in Dallas politics from the '80s to the '00s, both with sought-after endorsements as well as working on campaigns for mayoral candidates such as Jack Evans and Ron Natinsky.

In 2017, he was honored with an award from the NFF Gridiron Club for his role in helping bring football back to the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day. He fought to keep the annual Texas-Oklahoma rivalry game at Cotton Bowl Stadium and has been the key negotiator in keeping the game there ever since.

Schenkel served on many influential boards that helped shape Dallas and North Texas, including chairing the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Board of Directors and the Methodist Health Care Foundation. After retiringm he remained active in nonprofit circles, helping direct a charitable fund with his wife, the Pat and Pete Schenkel Charitable Trust. He also served on the board of the Dallas Blue Foundation, which provides financial assistance to families of Dallas police officers killed or wounded in action.

His multiple awards and commendations including receiving the 82nd annual Linz Award for civic service in Dallas in 2011, as well as a Russell H. Perry Award from Dallas Baptist University, which lauded Schenkel for adhering to the highest ethical standards and being loyal to and respectful of friends and customers, as well as his modesty, shying away from the spotlight and shining it on others instead.

He's survived by his wife Pat, three children and seven grandchildren.

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