About dr. Walter L. Smith
The Man.The Legend.
Remembering the Life, the Leadership, and the Achievements of the Late Dr. Walter Lee Smith. The Seventh FAMU President and African American Thought Leader and Advocate.
Born: May 13, 1935
Died: November 25, 2021
A TAMPA NATIVe
Dr. Walter L. Smith was a native of Tampa, Florida. By all accounts, Dr. Smith was a brilliant child who could who was very mischievous. It was once said that he would walk into school, take a test, make an "A", and walk right out the back door of the school to play hookie. It got so bad that soon he would be sent away to live with his Grandma Suzie, in Cairo, Georgia.
A BRILLIANT MIND
There, he would learn the value of his mind and hard work as he would excel in school and athletics while working in the tobacco, cotton, and other share cropper occupations with his grandparents who were also sharecroppers. By the time he had reached high school, the 15 year-old Dr. Smith had become an athletic standout, a top Boy Scout, a budding scientist, and the president of his 4-H Club District in Cairo.
OVERCOMING ADVERSITY
It was also at the age of 15 that Dr. Smith would come to face one of the most difficult episodes in his life. While working part time at the Campbell Soup company, Dr. Smith was allowed to represent his 4-H Club District in a scientific demonstration and oratorical contest. He placed first in each and upon his return to his job, he was confronted by a White coworker, John, whom he had been friends with before. In a jealous rage, John who was the same age as Dr. Smith shoved him saying, "You must think you're somethin' huh, ni__er?" Dr. Smith responded, "You don't mean that." John, pushed him again saying, "I sure do ni__er. What are you gonna do about it?" As John went to attack him again, Dr. Smith grabbed an iron hoop and hit John with it. With blood everywhere, Dr. Smith heard the words "Run Walter! Run!" Jumping into the back of the Black Taxi Dr. Smith saw his youth and future disappear in a flash as he was sent to live safely with his eldest Aunt, Alberta, in Harlem, New York.
IN PURSUIT OF EDUCATION
Now a high school drop out, Dr. Smith had to work pushing the Jewish Cadillacs in the Garment District and participated in sports and church activities until, he decided to enlist in the U.S. Army, where he spent two years as a veteran of the Korean War. Upon his return, Dr. Smith came to Tampa and was informed by his mother that he could go to school at Gibbs Junior College in St. Petersburg, Fl. After he completed his GED, Dr. Smith went to complete his AA degree in science and transferred to Florida A&M University where he earned his Bachelor and Master degrees in chemistry and biology pre-medicine. Soon, he determined that he would get his PhD in Education Leadership.
HIS PERSEVERANCE
The following year, Dr. Smith became Provost of Hillsborough Community College; then second President of Roxbury Community College (Boston); and finally, he was called to be the seventh President of Florida A&M University.
HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO MALAWI, SOUTH AFRCIA
After serving with distinction, Dr. Smith went to Africa as a Fulbright Scholar to work on accreditation of programs at the University of Malawi (Zomba). Afterwards, he was asked to conduct feasibility studies in the Republic of South Africa regarding the implementation of American style community colleges in the country in the post Apartheid era.
HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA
Dr. Smith was asked to return by the newly elected administration of President Nelson Mandela to implement the community college system there starting with FUNDA Community College in SOWETO. After successfully accomplishing his mission, Dr. Smith returned to Florida and retired from the University of Florida's Education Leadership Department and moved back to his native Tampa.
HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO TAMPA, FLORIDA
Upon returning to Tampa, Dr. Smith determined that he would dedicate his remaining years just as he spent his career, building a better life for people through education. He established the Dr. Walter L. Smith Library & Museum as a legacy of self-determination and growth through education in the Black community.
HIS INSIGHT
Dr. Smith is the author of the only written historical account of the twelve Black community colleges in the state of Florida (of which he was a product) known as The Magnificent Twelve.
HIS LEGACY
Sadly, Dr. Smith passed away the evening of Thanksgiving Day 2021. Dr. Smith always viewed the Library as his greatest work because he believed the community cared enough to help it to grow. With its growth, would be a better quality of life for all.