Hometown glory

Dallas named one of the best college cities in America, ahead of Denver, Chicagoand LA

Reunion Tower is one of the most recognizable Dallas landmarks.
Photo by Claire St. Amant
This miniature version of downtown Dallas decorates the St. Paul DART station.
Photo by Claire St. Amant
Photo by Jmcstrav/Wikipedia

We already knew that Dallas was a great place for young professionals. But the latest College Destinations Index from the American Institute for Economic Research says that our fair city is also a top location for higher education.

True, we do have 10 colleges that call Dallas-Fort Worth home, but the list determining the 75 Best College Towns and Cities for 2012-13 looked at a lot more than that.

Dallas has a high level of student diversity, ample arts and leisure opportunities, a relatively low cost of living, and an active entrepreneurial community.

The index examined a dozen factors with data from the Census Bureau, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the National Science Foundation to "provide a snapshot of each community's overall academic and cultural environment, quality of life, and employment opportunities."

Dallas has a high level of student diversity, arts and leisure opportunities, a relatively low cost of living, and an active entrepreneurial community. These factors helped place Dallas in the top 10 college cities in America.

According to the index, Dallas is a better place to attend college than Denver, Chicago or Los Angeles. However, it's not quite as good as Houston, Philadelphia or Seattle. The top spot in the major metro category went to Boston, and Austin took no. 2 on the mid-size list.

“The characteristics that make up a great college destination often make a location ideal for business, retirement and tourism," says Steven Cunningham, director of research and education for the institute. "A top AIER College Destinations Index ranking should be just as important to the town or city as it is to the schools located there and the families and students attending or considering them.”

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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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