Honoring Alex Smith

Selflessness is part of the 1965 graduate’s DNA. Service is his sacred calling. He’s a visionary, a creator and a nurturer, all directed toward the greater good. His honesty, wisdom, insightful thinking and devotion to the school are legendary, but if you could get him even to acknowledge his iconic status with more than a smile, he’d tell you that he’s merely following in the footsteps of the mentors who shaped him, guided him and encouraged him.

 

Humility and a self-effacing bearing, you see, have always been his modus operandi. No doubt, they always will be.

 

Yesterday evening, a crowd of 500 admirers convened in the Oates Theater to celebrate the retirement of, in the words of a longtime colleague, “the all-time Collegiate MVP.”

 

There to share the moment were Gail, his wife and soul mate of 46 years, and their children Kerrigan Smith ‘90, Erin Smith Jewett ’94 and Blake Smith ’00 and their families.

 

It was an amazing evening made special by the bestowal to Alex of the Collegiate Medallion for exemplary service, a video tribute and moving presentations honoring the man who returned to Collegiate in 1969 as a teacher and coach, led the school’s fund-raising efforts as vice president for development for almost four decades before shifting his focus to major gifts in 2012, and served as a sounding board, trusted counselor and voice of reason for a legion of friends.

 

“In Collegiate’s 101-year history, we have been blessed with remarkable educators who have changed lives and whose impact has left an indelible mark on our school community,” said Board of Trustees chairman John O’Neill. “Today we honor the ultimate Cougar: Alex Smith. In terms of both length of tenure and significance of impact, Alex’s influence may be unparalleled. Even after he moved out of the classroom and into the development office, the teacher in him never left. He has taught me, and so many others, the values of selfless service, loyalty, integrity, excellence and friendship, characteristics that are the bedrock principles of the school Alex truly loves.”

 

Greg Williams, class of 1969 and a Board member from 1991-2001, offered personal recollections and words of praise.

 

“Alex has been a role model and hero to me for a long, long time,” Williams said. “(After college,) Alex joined the Collegiate family as a right-hand man to Mr. (Malcolm U.) Pitt (Jr.). His skills led him to the development office where he soon crafted the six most expensive words in the English language: ‘It’s Alex. Collegiate needs your help.’

        

“Alex has used his creativity and imagination to develop and grow multi-generational relationships that have helped Collegiate flourish. He’s been the consummate development professional: extremely considerate of the donors and always thoughtful. He’s been a remarkable friend and resource to Collegiate (through his) loyalty, his unwavering drive to always make Collegiate better, his ability to connect with students, administration, faculty, board, parents and co-workers of any stripe. His ability to stay fresh and forward thinking over a 47-year career is just remarkable.”

 

Palmer Garson, who served on the Board from 1993-2007, followed Williams and enumerated Alex’s tangible achievements, among them raising more than $160 million including $60 million for endowment as well as funds for 20 buildings, enhancements of the North Mooreland Road Campus and the purchase and evolution of the Robins Campus.

 

The relationships Alex created and fostered far outweigh the numbers, she emphasized. Over the years, she added, he has written several pages of suggestions for his development teams which could easily be translated into lessons by which to live. Among the many “Alex-isms,” she cited several that speak loudly to his character: Be nice to everyone. Be an excellent listener. Always be positive. Always thank. Keep your message simple, to the point, and upbeat. Always tell the truth. Find the good in all things. Hold on to your dreams and your dreams for your institution. Remember that what you accomplish helps the mission and eventually helps mankind.

 

“Frankly,” Ms. Garson said, “Alex embodies all these characteristics, and it is clear from a sampling of Alex’s sayings that relationships are by far the most important element in how he has gone about his life’s work each and every day. Relationships are the hallmark of this place.”

 

Then, speaking directly to Alex, she added, “You have demonstrated firsthand the role of servant leader, never calling attention to your acts of kindness or accomplishments, putting the needs of others first and helping people develop and perform as highly as possible. Simply put, Collegiate is a better place for your having been here, and all of us that have had the privilege to link arms with you in helping Collegiate are better for it.”

 

Then, it was Alex’s turn.

 

He began, in vintage Alex style, by saying, “I’m honored to be honored.”

 

He thanked colleagues and donors who have shared the journey with him and “helped me help Collegiate.”  He thanked his family, most notably Gail about whom he said, “We have a love story that has no equal.”  And he thanked Mr. Pitt, who, he said, gambled on him three times, first when he admitted him as a student in 1961, then when he hired him as a teacher and coach and finally when he entrusted Collegiate’s development efforts to him.

 

“I worked here so long to avoid the farewell party,” he said. “The name on the invitation is nice, but this is a celebration of Collegiate. I’ve always thought at Collegiate, the sky is a little bit bluer, the grass is greener, and we’re allowed to reach for the sky, and maybe even touch the sky.”

 

Then, he respectfully challenged the next generation.

 

“No one owns Collegiate,” he said. “It’s up to us to care for her.”

 

Head of School Steve Hickman offered final thoughts.

 

“Alex Smith represents the best in Collegiate School,” he said. “It is his character, his generosity, his sensitivity. It is not for Alex’s records that we honor him. We honor him for the persona of Alex Smith. He is a symbol of excellence, elegance, power and, to be sure, gentleness. He is our greatest living Cougar.”

   -- Weldon Bradshaw

 
View Collegiate's video tribute to Alex Smith here: Thank You, Alex Smith

View a photo gallery that features photos from Collegiate's last few months of retirement celebration with Alex, including his Sept. 18 retirement reception here:
Honoring Alex Smith