Dr. Earnest A. Smith

Campus-wide memorial service for late Rust president, Dr. Earnest A. Smith

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Posted: 11/13/09

Rust College organized a befitting memorial service on campus, Wednesday, Nov. 18, for its late president, Dr. Earnest A. Smith.

Dr. Smith, the 9th president of Rust, 1957-1967, passed Friday morning, Nov. 13, after a brief illness.

The campus-wide service attended by faculty, staff, and students, as well as community members, his immediate family and friends, also featured eulogies from president David L. Beckley, vice president Dr. Ishmell H. Edwards, board of trustees chair, Dr. William Nelson, niece Pauline Johnson for the Smith family; including reflections from Rev. Frederick Brown, pastor, St. James UMC, Columbus, Miss., and Rev. Edward Moses, pastor, Asbury UMC, Holly Springs, Miss.

The college Acappella choir directed by assistant professor Zebedee Jones, delivered special musical renditions that are Smith's favorites during his lifetime.

Dr. Smith served Rust at a critical time in its history and the history of the State of Mississippi. For the College, it was the period in which the sponsoring church was deciding if the College should continue or be closed, on the state agenda was voting rights and public accommodations issues that involved the College and its students.

Dr. Smith led the charge on both fronts and laid the groundwork for survival of the College while at the same time encouraging students to be active in the movement, according to Dr. David L. Beckley, president of Rust and student during the closing years of the Smith administration.

Dr. Smith loved his alma mater, the "Old Royal White and Blue." He was generous in his giving to the College. He launched in 1997 the Earnest A. & Milverta G. Smith Endowed Lecture Series, and in the fall of 2009 the Earnest A. and Milverta Smith Honor's Program.

He encouraged students to be high achievers so that they can advance and explore the global world and become tomorrow's leaders. He also established in 1982 the Smith-Gooden Educational Trust, a scholarship for family members who wanted to attend college.

Rust College has suffered the loss of two great presidents, Dr. William Asbury McMillan (10th President) the spring of 2009 and Dr. Earnest Andrew Smith (9th president) the fall of 2009. They will forever be remembered. Donations can be given to Rust College earmarked for the Smith Endowed Honors Program.