Morehead State University’s Board of Regents honored one of the institution’s most respected graduates last semester by approving the naming of the Elmer R. Smith College of Business and Technology.
“Elmer Smith (71) has been an ambassador of higher learning and a loyal supporter of Morehead State University since his days as a student. His support through service, dedication and financial commitment has been unprecedented,” said MSU President Dr. Jay Morgan.
To date, Smith has donated nearly $4 million to the University. The naming of the college was announced during MSU’s Homecoming celebration in October 2018.
“Morehead State University and its dedicated faculty provided me with a great education, guidance
direction to enable me to embark on a successful career in education. I am blessed to be surrounded by a great group of dedicated employees and a supportive family of my wife, Margaret, daughter, Mia, and son, Christian.” -[Elmer R. Smith] and
“Throughout my career, I have chosen to support MSU and Tau Kappa Epsilon, my fraternity, and currently serve as the chairman of the TKE Education Foundation, raising funds for scholarships and leadership training for our leaders of tomorrow,” said Smith.
A native of Martin County, Smith graduated from MSU with a degree in business education. Smith is a successful professional who has served in numerous positions in the educational field. He currently serves as president of Interactive College of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, which specializes in computer-based training.
In 2003, he was named the outstanding alumnus from the college that bears his name. That same year, Smith and his late wife created the Elmer R. and Donna N. Smith Endowed Chair, which supports entrepreneurship initiatives within the College of Business and Technology. The couple also created the Elmer and Donna Smith Scholarship Endowment in 2010 to support awards for needy students. In addition, the Elmer R. Smith Regents Scholarship was created recently through Smith’s contributions to the current Soar to New Heights Scholarship Campaign.
He was inducted into the MSU Alumni Association Hall of Fame in 1999. Smith has served on the Board of Trustees of the MSU Foundation Inc. and was named Donor of the Year in 2002. He received an honorary Doctor of Education degree from MSU in 2011.
The building that housing MSU’s Space Science Center—Smith-Booth Hall—is named for Elmer and Donna Smith, and Jim (70) and Linda Booth.
The Elmer R. Smith College of Business and Technology includes the School of Business Administration and the School of Engineering and Information Systems. Programs in the College of Business and Technology offer a broad choice of high-quality academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The college actively engages with a wide variety of regional initiatives that enrich the learning environment while contributing to the community through a network of business centers and institutes. For additional information about the programs in the Elmer R. Smith College of Business and Technology, visit www.moreheadstate.edu/cbt.
To make a gift to MSU, visit alumni.moreheadstate.edu/give or call the Office of Alumni Relations and Development at 606-783-2033.
