PULLMAN, Wash. — Day-long activities on April 17 will honor Washington
State University President Sam Smith and his wife, Pat. He retires this summer
after 15 years leading the university.
The day opens with a staff/faculty breakfast from 7:30-9 a.m. in the Compton
Union Building, Carey Ballroom. From 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., a student-organized
recognition celebration will be held on Terrell Mall. In case of bad weather, the
event will be moved into the CUB.
Concluding the day is a 4 p.m. community/university reception and program
held in Lighty Student Services Building’s atrium. Free parking will be available
in all lots and the Fine Arts parking structure.
At the staff/faculty breakfast, a slide show honoring the Smiths will be
presented by Bob Smawley, WSU Alumni Association. Activities for the
noontime celebration include a free barbecue, entertainment and presentations
by student groups. The afternoon program will feature community and
university speakers and international foods.
Attending the breakfast costs $5 per person. There is no charge for the other
two events. Staff and faculty planning on attending the breakfast must pay in
advance and make reservations by April 5, said Sonia Hussa, university
relations. Staff and faculty members on the Pullman campus should make their
reservations for both the breakfast and reception using a flyer they received in
the campus mail.
“Members of the community and university are encouraged to take part in the
afternoon reception. Reservations are required for catering purposes,” Hussa
said. Community member reservations for the reception may be made by
e-mailing events@wsu.edu or calling 509/335-6824.
During his presidency, Smith established WSU campuses in Spokane, the
Tri-Cities and Vancouver to serve placebound and job-bound students. The
university has also strengthened undergraduate and graduate education and
made major strides in research and public service. Currently, he is chair of the
National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, the
nation’s oldest higher education association. Last year, he completed his term
as chair of the executive committee of the National Collegiate Athletic
Association. A national leader in distance education, he has been honored as
the Justin Smith Morrill Memorial lecturer, given by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture and NASULGC for outstanding contemporary leadership in higher
education.
Events honoring the Smiths have been held on the WSU Spokane, Tri-Cities
and Vancouver campuses. The final recognition event will be mid-May in
Seattle, in conjunction with the WSU Foundation annual meeting.
A memory book is being compiled for the Smiths. Notes, pictures or other
memorabilia can be sent to Memory Book, WSU President’s Office, 422 French
Administration Building, Pullman, WA 99164-1048.
For additional information about the recognition events, call 509/335-6824.
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