Samuel H. Smith (educator)
Encyclopedia
Samuel H. Smith was the eighth president of Washington State University
, serving for fifteen years (July 1, 1985 – June 8, 2000).
A native of Salinas, California
, he holds bachelor's and doctoral degrees in plant pathology from the University of California, Berkeley
and honorary doctoral degrees from Nihon University
in Tokyo
, Japan
, and Far Eastern State University in Vladivostok
, Russia
.
He is remembered for leadership in establishing WSU's three regional campuses — WSU Spokane, WSU Tri-Cities and WSU Vancouver — as well as fostering development of the university's Distance Degree Programs.
Under Smith’s leadership, WSU grew in size and stature. Its teaching, research, and public service activities received worldwide recognition. Strengthening undergraduate and graduate education, placing an international imprint on programs, and increasing opportunities for women and minorities were among his priorities.
Smith led Campaign WSU, the University's first comprehensive fund-raising effort that attracted $275.4 million in private support, substantially over its $250 million goal. The campaign transformed the university’s ability to serve students and the state of Washington by supporting scholarships, faculty recruitment and retention, learning technology and statewide education.
From 1997–99, he served as chair of the Executive Committee of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
, one of a series of leadership positions he held during a major reorganization of NCAA governance.
In 2000, Smith chaired the Board of Directors of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, the nation's oldest higher education association. He also served on NASULGC’s Kellogg Commission on the Future of the State and Land-Grant Universities. The commission planned for change and improvement of state universities and land-grant colleges for the 21st century.
Smith concluded his presidency on June 8, 2000. As president emeritus, he established an office at WSU West in Seattle, where he and his wife, Patricia, live. The Smiths continue to support the WSU Museum of Art. They have attracted world-class artwork for display in the Samuel H. Smith Center for Undergraduate Education, named for Smith in 2002, the year it opened on the Pullman campus.
After leaving the presidency, he continued as a trustee of the Western Governors University
, of which WSU is a founding member, and serves on the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board, as Talaris Research Institute board chair, and director of the Washington Education Foundation, which provides college scholarships and mentoring to low-income, high-potential students.
Prior to his presidency, he spent 16 years at Pennsylvania State University
, starting as a faculty member, then becoming department head, and finally, dean of the College of Agriculture and director of the Cooperative Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Station.
He currently serves on the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board
.
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
, serving for fifteen years (July 1, 1985 – June 8, 2000).
A native of Salinas, California
Salinas, California
Salinas is the county seat and the largest municipality of Monterey County, California. Salinas is located east-southeast of the mouth of the Salinas River, at an elevation of about 52 feet above sea level. The population was 150,441 at the 2010 census...
, he holds bachelor's and doctoral degrees in plant pathology from the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
and honorary doctoral degrees from Nihon University
Nihon University
Nihon University is the largest university in Japan. Akiyoshi Yamada, the minister of justice, founded Nihon Law School in October 1889....
in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, and Far Eastern State University in Vladivostok
Vladivostok
The city is located in the southern extremity of Muravyov-Amursky Peninsula, which is about 30 km long and approximately 12 km wide.The highest point is Mount Kholodilnik, the height of which is 257 m...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
.
He is remembered for leadership in establishing WSU's three regional campuses — WSU Spokane, WSU Tri-Cities and WSU Vancouver — as well as fostering development of the university's Distance Degree Programs.
Under Smith’s leadership, WSU grew in size and stature. Its teaching, research, and public service activities received worldwide recognition. Strengthening undergraduate and graduate education, placing an international imprint on programs, and increasing opportunities for women and minorities were among his priorities.
Smith led Campaign WSU, the University's first comprehensive fund-raising effort that attracted $275.4 million in private support, substantially over its $250 million goal. The campaign transformed the university’s ability to serve students and the state of Washington by supporting scholarships, faculty recruitment and retention, learning technology and statewide education.
From 1997–99, he served as chair of the Executive Committee of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
, one of a series of leadership positions he held during a major reorganization of NCAA governance.
In 2000, Smith chaired the Board of Directors of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, the nation's oldest higher education association. He also served on NASULGC’s Kellogg Commission on the Future of the State and Land-Grant Universities. The commission planned for change and improvement of state universities and land-grant colleges for the 21st century.
Smith concluded his presidency on June 8, 2000. As president emeritus, he established an office at WSU West in Seattle, where he and his wife, Patricia, live. The Smiths continue to support the WSU Museum of Art. They have attracted world-class artwork for display in the Samuel H. Smith Center for Undergraduate Education, named for Smith in 2002, the year it opened on the Pullman campus.
After leaving the presidency, he continued as a trustee of the Western Governors University
Western Governors University
Western Governors University is a private, nonprofit, American online university with nearly 30,000 students across the United States and in military bases overseas, as of December 2011. It is a competency-based university...
, of which WSU is a founding member, and serves on the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board, as Talaris Research Institute board chair, and director of the Washington Education Foundation, which provides college scholarships and mentoring to low-income, high-potential students.
Prior to his presidency, he spent 16 years at Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
, starting as a faculty member, then becoming department head, and finally, dean of the College of Agriculture and director of the Cooperative Extension Service and Agricultural Experiment Station.
He currently serves on the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board
Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board
Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board is a Washington state agency with a 10-member citizen board to improve higher education.-External links:* – Official website...
.