Gift represents lifelong passion
for education

Auditorium named to recognize Smiths
For Sid Smith, ’65, and his wife, Judy French Smith, ’65, supporting CMU’s new Education Building with an extraordinary $1 million gift is the ideal way to express their commitment to quality education. The Smiths are lifelong advocates for education and believe that those pursuing the dream of becoming a teacher should do so at CMU.

In fact, Judy did just that. She received her degree in secondary education with a major in English and taught seventh-grade English and remedial reading in the Lansing Public Schools.

“I really enjoyed teaching,” Judy said. “It was a new and rewarding experience for me, working and living in an urban environment.”

Although Sid holds a degree in business, education is in his blood. His father, Woodward “Woody” Smith, came to CMU in the fall of 1942 and held several positions on campus. He was a teacher and an administrator and also was instrumental in creating what now is CMU Off-Campus Programs. Woody’s love for CMU and dedication to teacher preparation were instilled in his son.

“Teachers are the second most important people in a child’s life,” Sid said. “Next to parents, no one has a greater influence than a teacher. We have to do everything we can to make sure they are trained and well prepared for the 21st century.”

Fundraising moves forward
The Smith’s leadership gift gave the fundraising effort for the new building a tremendous start.

“We are so very grateful to the Smiths for the generosity,” said Karen Adams, dean of the College of Education and Human Services. “Their gift truly paved the way for this project to move forward.”

CMU’s new Education Building will offer the ideal space for that preparation to take place, particularly in the 200-seat auditorium. Its design will make the auditorium an attractive location for student instruction, campuswide presentation, and small professional conferences. In recognition of their gift, the new auditorium will bear the Smith’s name.

Sid and Judy French Smith

The auditorium in the new Education Building will be named in honor of the Smiths.