Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, December 29, 1994                   TAG: 9412290118
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

HOLLINS' EX-DEAN SMITH DIES

Smith came to Hollins in 1932 as an associate professor of economics and sociology. Her strength and intelligence gained early recognition and after seven years, Smith was elected dean of students.

Jake Wheeler, a Hollins senior faculty member who met Smith at his job interview in 1955, said he knew immediately she was a force to be reckoned with.

"She scared the hell out of me at first," Wheeler said. "She could be tough, but she was also a compassionate woman with a wonderful sense of humor."

Wheeler said Smith had the foresight to help Hollins change and grow, smoothing the transition from private ownership to independent control, doubling the size of enrollment, overseeing the establishment of new programs.

"She had the same vision for Hollins as the founders did: that women should have the same liberal arts education offered to men," Wheeler said.

In 1958, Smith was chosen as the first woman to head the American Conference of Academic Deans. She had been listed in "Leaders in Education" and in "American Men of Science."

Smith continued to correspond with her former students even after she retired in 1964. Wheeler said she remained active and alert until her death last Thursday.

"I just visited her a few weeks ago. She had the New York Times laying out, and several books that are on the bestsellers list. And she asked me, 'Are we going to beat that Ollie North?'"