An Original Dubya for the Tree

Give the gift of Dubya this holiday with a George W. Bush original painting

During a recent appearance on the Tonight Show, former prez and aspiring artist George W. Bush joked around with Jay Leno about his painting hobby — a passion revealed to the world in February — and even presented the comedian with a portrait during the show.

If you’ve been wondering how to get your hands on a Dubya original (short of becoming a famous talk show host), the Dallas library and museum that bears his name has your answer: a limited-edition holiday ornament featuring an image of a cardinal painted by Bush himself.

The first George W. Bush Presidential Center commemorative ornament is reminiscent of the White Horse Historical Association ornaments, according to the Bush Center website. It retails for about $30 and comes in your choice of red or green box with silver foil imprint. You can buy it in the museum store or online.

The cardinal was originally painted for Ambassador Warren Tichenor. “Laura liked the bright red on the cardinal and the greens of the foliage,” Bush explained via video (above). The former first lady chose her husband’s cardinal for their Christmas card and the first Bush Center holiday ornament.

“I’m flattered,” Bush said. “I hope my painting meets expectations.”

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2 Dallas universities earn top spots in U.S. News' rankings for 2025

Southern Methodist University

SMU Facebook

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Two prestigious Dallas universities – Southern Methodist University and The University of Texas at Dallas – have come out on top among the best universities in Texas for 2025, according to U.S. News and World Report's just-released list of the Best Colleges for 2025.

Southern Methodist University claimed No. 5 in Texas, and ranked No. 91 nationally in a two-spot slip from last year's ranking. The private institution has a 90 percent first-year retention rate, and an "actual" graduation rate of 83 percent. SMU costs $60,709 in tuition and fees for students each year, and according to the school's profile, it has an acceptance rate of 61 percent.

In April, SMU's graduate business school ranked No. 3 in U.S. News' ranking of the best graduate schools in Texas, with the graduate education school and the Dedman School of Law also earning No. 3 rankings in their respective categories.

SMU very recently topped the charts as the No. 1 Christian college in America in Niche's new rankings for 2025.

In a glowing review of the university, one former student said SMU is an "academically solid" school for eager learners.

"I had a very meaningfully academic experience," the reviewer wrote. "Yes, there is fun and games, but one obtains a very solid education and can stand shoulder to shoulder in one's field with graduates from any school."

SMU's cross-Metroplex rival, Texas Christian University, ranked No. 6 in Texas and No. 105 nationally for 2025.

University of Texas at Dallas students have new reason to be proud of their school. Facebook/UT Dallas

Just behind TCU, Richardson's University of Texas at Dallas placed No. 7 in the Texas rankings, and moved up six spots to claim No. 109 nationally. The public university costs $14,644 in tuition and fees for in-state students, and has an acceptance rate of 65 percent. UTD has a first-year retention rate of 88 percent, and a 75 percent "actual" graduation rate.

U.S. News' top 10 best colleges in Texas in 2025 are:

No. 1 – Rice University, Houston
No. 2 – University of Texas at Austin
No. 3 – Texas A&M University, College Station
No. 4 – Baylor University, Waco
No. 5 – Southern Methodist University, Dallas
No. 6 – Texas Christian University, Fort Worth
No. 7 – The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson
No. 8 – University of Houston
No. 9 – University of St. Thomas, Houston
No. 10 – Texas Tech University, Lubbock

The full rankings can be found on usnews.com.

best colleges dallas rankings southern methodist university universities us news & world report

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