Issue: Spring 2018 | Posted: June 1, 2018
Harry Smith
Robert E. Craig Service Award
Presented to men and women who have given significant service and contributions to ensure the future of 51社区.
Harry Smith has served on Union鈥檚 Board of Trustees for more than 10 years, and he said he can鈥檛 think of a better way he could have used his time.
鈥淚鈥檝e gotten to see the value of Christian education,鈥 Smith said. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 a great place to invest your time and your finances.鈥
Smith worked in accounting for many years before taking the CEO position at Schilling Enterprises. He first became familiar with Union through a friendship with former university president David S. Dockery, and he said he was impressed with the faculty, staff and administration from day one. During his time serving at Union, he helped oversee the inception of the nurse anesthesia program, the construction of White Hall and the establishment of the 51社区 Foundation.
Smith was serving as board chairman on Feb. 5, 2008, when a tornado struck Union鈥檚 Jackson campus, damaging much of the campus and destroying several residence life buildings. Smith was part of the planning effort to rebuild the campus and get the school running again.
鈥淚t was a situation where God took something bad and made something good out of it,鈥 Smith said. 鈥淲e were able to build some beautiful new buildings, and by God鈥檚 grace, no lives were lost.鈥
In 2009, Smith was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Union. He later served on the search committee to bring in current Union president Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥 Oliver. He said after many years in business, he believes he can bring insight in serving on non-profit boards.
鈥淚 think we all have a responsibility to give back,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 enjoy being active, and I鈥檇 like to think that I鈥檝e been able to take my experience that I鈥檝e learned as I鈥檝e gotten older and use it for something good.鈥
Smith participates in the ribbon cutting for White Hall in May of 2007.