President's Report - Gordon State College

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President’s Report
as Gordon’s president, to reopen this classic building.” And not
just to reopen it, but to recognize it as the new home of Gordon’s
education department and its early childhood education baccalaureate
program.
The president marveled at how, in 1939, the city of Barnesville
and Gordon joined forces to equip the building with a biology
lab, a chemistry lab, and all the furniture for a library, classrooms
and offices for just $10,000. And this money also included
the technological marvels of the day, projectors and typewriters.
“They brought this building to life,” Burns said, “the Smith
family in particular. We are honored to have many of the Smith
family with us here today.” Furthermore, he said, Trey Varner,
would be awarded his bachelor’s degree in early childhood education
at Gordon’s graduation in precisely three weeks.
Byron Smith, one of Walter B. Smith’s grandsons, was next to
speak, amusing the audience with stories that reflected the character
and personality of his grandfather. “Once,” he said, “someone
wrote a story in the paper that he didn’t like, so he bought the
paper.” The funeral home was another business that fell out of his
favor also – so he bought it too and took up embalming.
Then Byron turned his attention to someone who is not a
Smith. “One other person I’d like to acknowledge,” he said, “is Peter
Banks. If not for Peter’s stamina, Gordon would not be here.”
Byron was referring to Banks’ role in making Gordon a member
of the University System of Georgia.
Once the ribbon across the entrance was cut, the audience
was invited to tour the building, and have, as Burns put it, a look
into the future.
For a video of the rededication speeches, type “Gordon
College Smith Hall Rededication” into the search box of
www.youtube.com
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