Memphis State University - DeSoto Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

Page 20 text:

R. M. ROBISON Dean of Men FLORA RAWLS Dean of Women THESE GUIDED OUR UJflVS Page Sixteen R. P. CLARK Registrar JIMMY TAYLOR Acting Bursar m

Page 19 text:

c ' ommissioner of Education J. M. Jack Smith went to work as a school teacher at the age of nineteen and has been a schoolmaster ever since. He taught school in Middle Tennessee and the southern part of Kentucky as he progressed through the one- and two-room schools to high schools and administrative work in Shelby County. In 1930 Mr. Smith arrived on the campus of Mem- phis State College as principal of the College Training School, and after three years was appointed Dean of the College. He later became Commissioner of Education but resigned to accept the Presidency of Tennessee Polytechnic Institute in 1938. Two years later he returned to Memphis as Director of Instruction for the Memphis City Schools and remained there until he accepted the Presidency of Memphis State College in 1946. In January of 1949 Mr. Smith was called back to Nashville to serve the State of Tennessee once more as its Commissioner of Education. The State Board of Educa- tion has granted him a leave of absence from his duties as President of Memphis State College in order to serve in this greater capacity. The faculty and students of Memphis State are proud that one of our number is of such proved worth to our great State. Commissioner Smith in his capacity of Chair- man of the State Board of Education is still directly con- cerned with the affairs of Memphis State. He has our best wishes for continued success and our enduring grati- tude. WITH THESE RlEn UJE GO FORWARD a r ur chief executive, Lamar Newport, came to us from the rural county of Carroll. After graduating from Bruceton High School, he did his college work at Bethel College in McKenzie. While in college he divided his time between studies and sports and made an enviable record in each. It was rumored that in addi- tion to mastering Greek and Shakespeare, he threw the most wicked curve ball of any pitcher in the league. Following graduation from College, Mr. Newport took the Master ' s Degree at the University of Tennessee. His deep and abiding interest in education led him into the teaching profession, beginning his career as principal of the high school and director of athletics at Martin. From there he went to Henderson, as coach and teacher of science. Then followed a brief stay at Fort Pillow. In 1941 Mr. Newport was invited to join the faculty at Mem- phis State College as professor in Chemistry. When the Civilian Pilot Training Corps was organized, he was placed in charge of this phase of the war effort. In 1944 he became bursar of the college, serving valuably in that capacity until January of 1949, when he was asked to assume the duties of President of the College, President Smith becoming State Commissioner of Education.

Page 21 text:

DEDICDTIOn -: ■ ■;-■-.,■■ .-. ■ ■ ,...-. ........ .■■.■■.■■. ■■■:■: ■::■.:,:■. ■ •■::■ ■:■ ■: :■: TO ROWLETT PAINE, WHO THROUGHOUT THE YEARS HAS PRO- MOTED THE INTEREST OF THE MIDSOUTH RELATIVE TO RAISING MEMPHIS STATE COLLEGE TO UNIVERSITY STATUS, WE PROUDLY DEDICATE THE 1950 DESOTO. I Page Seventeen