Memphis State University - DeSoto Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

Page 22 text:

President and Mrs, Smith pose for a formal por- trait in their home on the campus. Memphis State s Greatest Decade Ten years ago, in 1946, J. M. Jack Smith became president of Memphis State College, an institution at that time having an enrollment of 1,500. Since then, Memphis State has grown in all directions — buildings have been more than doubled, the faculty has been enlarged to 200 members, the enrollment has passed the 3,500 figure and the institution has gained in prestige throughout the South and the nation. President Smith came to Memphis State well prepared to place the college on the map. He came up through the one-room, one-teacher school in rural Hardin County to head Tennessee Polytechnic Institute, to direct instruction for Memphis City Schools and to serve at one time as Tennessee Commissioner of Education. All of these roles served to prepare Presi dent Smith to take the helm of this institution which had so much to offer and which had so far to go. In the way of buildings during this period we can mention two large additions to the Adminis- tration Building and the addition to Science Hall. A new men ' s dormitory, named in honor of Grover C. Hayden, was completed and an- other is on the drawing boards and will be ready soon. The Student Center and the Cafeteria were completed and the Den, formerly housed in the Administration Building, gave way to new offices and classrooms, The new gymnasium was completed; the Training School enlarged. The Girls ' Dormitory was remodeled and a new addi- tion started. The library took on a new wing, plus air-conditioning. Even the auditorium re- ceived new seats. 18

Page 21 text:

:, f ....;:-. , - - : RSR ■ ' : -i ■ v ' ' J ■ J :S: -« » - ' • , MMiMriiat ' ' ■ ' . I nMa»»£ % ' ;:|||:|:: : : : -- Milium i D TV T R A T I N 17

Page 23 text:

Additional departments of in- struction have been created, more teachers employed and class offer- ings increased to better serve the students. No one man can receive credit for all these gains, but on the other hand, all who have witnessed the tremendous growth in prestige and influence of Memphis State, recognize the guiding influence of President Smith. We know that students of the future will be forever grateful for the fine example he set. for the achievements he brought about for the college and for the influence he has had on each of us. m President and Mrs. Smith follow all the games and here enjoy a scoring play at Crump Stadium. a »Aft-y He wears his academic position well, too. Here is a typical scene at a commencement program.