Led by high marks for strong career development, business, and education programs, Southwestern has once again been honored by Colleges of Distinction.
The City of Georgetown announced as first tenant in mixed-use district designed to connect education, culture, government, business, and community life.
From the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro to the depths of the Grand Canyon, Southwestern students can explore Earth’s natural wonders through the Outdoor Adventure program.
As part of Southwestern’s dual degree engineering program partnership with Washington University in St. Louis, Amanda Mejia ’27 will be heading to WashU this fall en route to earning her master’s in aerospace engineering.
Seniors Nia Cannon ’26 and Sumaya Moshiur ’26 have been named recipients of the U.S. State Department’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, providing funds for them to study abroad this summer.
After more than a decade of work, Southwestern Professor of Chemistry Maha Zewail-Foote has published monumental research into how certain DNA structures are more susceptible to damage, leading to genetic instability and diseases like cancer.
With Southwestern University’s newest articulation agreement, students will soon have the opportunity to pursue master’s degrees at England’s Durham University.
The Class of 2026 leaves Southwestern with more than degrees—this graduating class leaves behind research discoveries, campus traditions, community impact, and a legacy of leadership.
Led by high marks for strong career development, business, and education programs, Southwestern has once again been honored by Colleges of Distinction.
The City of Georgetown announced as first tenant in mixed-use district designed to connect education, culture, government, business, and community life.
From the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro to the depths of the Grand Canyon, Southwestern students can explore Earth’s natural wonders through the Outdoor Adventure program.
As part of Southwestern’s dual degree engineering program partnership with Washington University in St. Louis, Amanda Mejia ’27 will be heading to WashU this fall en route to earning her master’s in aerospace engineering.
Seniors Nia Cannon ’26 and Sumaya Moshiur ’26 have been named recipients of the U.S. State Department’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, providing funds for them to study abroad this summer.
After more than a decade of work, Southwestern Professor of Chemistry Maha Zewail-Foote has published monumental research into how certain DNA structures are more susceptible to damage, leading to genetic instability and diseases like cancer.
With Southwestern University’s newest articulation agreement, students will soon have the opportunity to pursue master’s degrees at England’s Durham University.
The Class of 2026 leaves Southwestern with more than degrees—this graduating class leaves behind research discoveries, campus traditions, community impact, and a legacy of leadership.
Led by high marks for strong career development, business, and education programs, Southwestern has once again been honored by Colleges of Distinction.
The City of Georgetown announced as first tenant in mixed-use district designed to connect education, culture, government, business, and community life.
From the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro to the depths of the Grand Canyon, Southwestern students can explore Earth’s natural wonders through the Outdoor Adventure program.
As part of Southwestern’s dual degree engineering program partnership with Washington University in St. Louis, Amanda Mejia ’27 will be heading to WashU this fall en route to earning her master’s in aerospace engineering.
Seniors Nia Cannon ’26 and Sumaya Moshiur ’26 have been named recipients of the U.S. State Department’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, providing funds for them to study abroad this summer.
After more than a decade of work, Southwestern Professor of Chemistry Maha Zewail-Foote has published monumental research into how certain DNA structures are more susceptible to damage, leading to genetic instability and diseases like cancer.
With Southwestern University’s newest articulation agreement, students will soon have the opportunity to pursue master’s degrees at England’s Durham University.
The Class of 2026 leaves Southwestern with more than degrees—this graduating class leaves behind research discoveries, campus traditions, community impact, and a legacy of leadership.
Led by high marks for strong career development, business, and education programs, Southwestern has once again been honored by Colleges of Distinction.
The City of Georgetown announced as first tenant in mixed-use district designed to connect education, culture, government, business, and community life.
From the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro to the depths of the Grand Canyon, Southwestern students can explore Earth’s natural wonders through the Outdoor Adventure program.
As part of Southwestern’s dual degree engineering program partnership with Washington University in St. Louis, Amanda Mejia ’27 will be heading to WashU this fall en route to earning her master’s in aerospace engineering.
Seniors Nia Cannon ’26 and Sumaya Moshiur ’26 have been named recipients of the U.S. State Department’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, providing funds for them to study abroad this summer.
After more than a decade of work, Southwestern Professor of Chemistry Maha Zewail-Foote has published monumental research into how certain DNA structures are more susceptible to damage, leading to genetic instability and diseases like cancer.
With Southwestern University’s newest articulation agreement, students will soon have the opportunity to pursue master’s degrees at England’s Durham University.
The Class of 2026 leaves Southwestern with more than degrees—this graduating class leaves behind research discoveries, campus traditions, community impact, and a legacy of leadership.
Led by high marks for strong career development, business, and education programs, Southwestern has once again been honored by Colleges of Distinction.
The City of Georgetown announced as first tenant in mixed-use district designed to connect education, culture, government, business, and community life.
From the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro to the depths of the Grand Canyon, Southwestern students can explore Earth’s natural wonders through the Outdoor Adventure program.
As part of Southwestern’s dual degree engineering program partnership with Washington University in St. Louis, Amanda Mejia ’27 will be heading to WashU this fall en route to earning her master’s in aerospace engineering.
After more than a decade of work, Southwestern Professor of Chemistry Maha Zewail-Foote has published monumental research into how certain DNA structures are more susceptible to damage, leading to genetic instability and diseases like cancer.
With Southwestern University’s newest articulation agreement, students will soon have the opportunity to pursue master’s degrees at England’s Durham University.
The Class of 2026 leaves Southwestern with more than degrees—this graduating class leaves behind research discoveries, campus traditions, community impact, and a legacy of leadership.
The nationally-competitive scholarship is awarded annually to the country’s top aspiring research scientists pursuing careers in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering.
This summer, Assistant Director of Campus Recreation Branndon Bargo is inviting the Southwestern University community to join him on a world record-setting trip to the highest point in all 50 U.S. states.
Southwestern University Outdoor Adventure’s Branndon Bargo has embarked on a world record-setting trip to the highest point in all 50 U.S. states.
We all know that Southwestern University tops Texas, but this summer, SU is heading to the top of all 50 states…literally. In the Seek Your Summit challenge, Branndon is attempting to become the fastest person to summit the highest point in every state.
Live Tracker
Branndon is currently ascending Denali (Mt. McKinley), Alaska’s highest peak and the first summit of the challenge. When he begins his descent, the clock will officially start on his record attempt.
Follow the Highpoints
Get Branndon’s live summit updates throughout the Seek Your Summit expedition.
Southwestern University Outdoor Adventure’s Branndon Bargo has made adventuring his life. He has led large and difficult expeditions to more than 60 countries, including Chile, Ecuador, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Peru, Tanzania, and Uganda, just to name a few. A gifted athlete, he competes in the world’s most difficult endurance events to keep in shape for his expeditions. Branndon has competed in the world’s toughest canoe race, the world’s toughest one-day mountain bike race, and in triathlons and ultramarathons around the world.
Branndon and his brother Greg were the first individuals in history to climb Mount McKinley, the highest point in North America, then bike 4,000 miles down the western seaboard, from Alaska, through Canada, across the United States, and eventually to Baja, Mexico, where they capped off the expedition by swimming with great white sharks.
A member of the prestigious Explorers Club since 2009, Branndon is the founder and owner of the outdoor company, Live Adventure, and is Executive Producer and host of The Highpointers on PBS and Amazon Prime. He has a broadcast journalism degree from Texas State University and an Emmy nomination for his work with the travel documentary series The Daytripper.
Explore the Route
The current fastest known time to summit all 50 U.S. state highpoints is 20 days, 14 hours, and 4 minutes. Branndon is looking to break that record this summer. His clock will start when he reaches the peak of his first summit — Mount McKinley in Alaska — and stops when he reaches his final summit, Wyoming’s Gannett Peak. Once his clock begins, updates will be shared via this webpage and on social media.
Seek Your Summit Schedule
Branndon’s tentative schedule is listed below. Dates, times, and routes are subject to change as Branndon pursues the world record time. For the most up-to-date information, follow @southwesternu, @suoutdooradventure, @thehighpointers, and the tag #SeekYourSummitSU on Instagram throughout the Seek Your Summit expedition.
Branndon is partnering with the Southwestern kinesiology and psychology departments on a study that will track the physical, mental, and emotional changes that occur to his body during the Seek Your Summit expedition. Associate Professor of Kinesiology Ed Merritt and his students will conduct pre- and post-trip testing on Branndon’s cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, heart rate, and other vitals, to compare his statistics before and after the excursion. About a month before the journey began, Branndon slept in a Hypoxico altitude tent designed to train his body to perform better at higher altitudes. SU kinesiology students will be studying how this pre-trip regimen may improve his performance.
Branndon will also be working with Professor of Psychology Erin Crockett to assess his psyche before, during, and after the excursion.
At Southwestern, learning doesn’t stop in the classroom. Our Outdoor Adventure program takes students out into the world — whether they’re summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, backpacking the Grand Canyon, or paddling Texas rivers. Each experience is designed to challenge, build leadership, and deepen sense of purpose.
Branndon and Shelby pour months of planning into each adventure, working hard to build experiences that appeal to a wide range of students, ensuring that opportunities are created for students of all abilities and skill levels. From spelunking in nearby caves, kayaking in local rivers, and rock climbing at state parks to hiking Central Texas nature trails, horseback riding in the Hill Country, and exploring historic archaeological sites, the program aims to explore all that Texas and the world has to offer.
Explore a selection of videos and stories about Outdoor Adventure:
