Summer 2009 - Texas Tech University

y Matt Dowdyphoto by Christina Pavlovsky“Helping othersfind points ofexcellence andbuilding onthese notes ofexcellence is veryimportant.”—Bob Smithob Smith knew of Texas’s almost legendary hospitality, but now believesthat it may be unmatched by any other part of the country.Smith, the recently named provost and senior vice president ofTexas Tech University, said from the first meeting with Texas Tech’ssearch committee, everything clicked. While people here wereinterested in what he had done with the University of Arkansas,Smith said he was curious about what they were doing.After previously serving as the provost and vice chancellor foracademic affairs at Arkansas from 2000 to 2008, Smith joined theTexas Tech family in February.“It’s really great fun (being a provost),” Smith said. “It’s likeJoseph Campbell once said, ‘It’s your bliss.’”As provost, Smith, who obtained his bachelor’s degree from St.John’s University, oversees all academic aspects of the university,including both research and academic personnel.Smith believes it was special attention from the associate deanof St. John’s College of Pharmacy, Hugh Luongo, who first gavehim the confidence he should not only pursue his studies, but workin higher education, as well.Luongo was known for taking a special interest and advisingthe top students in the pharmacy college. During his junior year,Smith was called into Luongo’s office to discuss his future graduatestudies, but little did he know that one compliment would transformhis career.“He said ‘Bob you are one of our stars,’” Smith said. “‘Someday,I hope you will have my job.’”After experiencing how much Luongo’s outreach affected hislife, Smith believes it is extremely important for professors to takea special interest in being mentors, not only in class, but outsideof class, as well.“You cannot share anything more precious with a student thanto wish for them to have one of the top jobs in the country,” Smithsaid.Upon completing his Ph.D. in pharmaceutical chemistry at theUniversity of Michigan, Smith began his career as an assistant professorat the University of Iowa, was promoted to associate professorand awarded tenure, then moved on to the University of Texasat Austin where he eventually became the James E. Bauerle Professorand Director of the Drug Dynamics Institute.After several years as a professor and institute director, Smith’sresponsibility grew as he was named the vice provost for researchand dean of the graduate school at Washington State University.From there, Smith would take the same position at the Universityof Connecticut.His work at a variety of institutions across the nation led toArkansas’s interest and his job there.As Texas Tech’s provost, Smith is responsible for meeting andcollaborating with the deans of the 14 colleges and schools. Eachdean reports to him, as they work with strategic planning on howto integrate actions and plans with various other colleges and theuniversity as a whole.While meeting a new boss may seem intimidating to some, Collegeof Mass Communications Dean Jerry Hudson was immediatelyimpressed with Smith, not because of his previous record,but for his ability to greet each dean by name in the group’s firstmeeting.In addition, Smith also pointed out each dean’s focus of studyand accomplishments during the introductory session, Hudsonsaid.“I thought that was pretty impressive for him to take thatamount of time,” Hudson said. “I have never interviewed withanyone before who had done that much background work andwanted to learn something about each of the people he would beworking with.”Smith’s focus, plans and dreams for the university are undoubtedlythe reason he was chosen during such a pivotal point ofgrowth at Texas Tech.While aspiring to make Texas Tech a top research university,Smith said the challenge will be upholding the goal, while alsomaintaining the drive of Chancellor Kent Hance to reach 40,000students“If you diminish quality” Smith said, “you diminish the productof growth. This is the challenge for everybody.”He believes that Texas Tech should be looking across the academiclandscape of the university to find strengths and weaknesseswithin each program. Smith said he has previously helped otherinstitutions work more effectively by strategically assessing attributesacross campus.“Helping others find points of excellence and building on thesenotes of excellence is very important,” Smith said.In his short time here, Smith believes there are already marvelousthings happening. One way he hopes to accomplish his goalof developing research at Texas Tech is through grants. Smith saidattracting greater dollars provides great benefits in various sectorsof the university.“With research grants for undergraduates, you can do somewonderful things, and assist student learning in essential ways,”Smith said. “It’s a phenomenon when people, places and eventshelp advance the institutions.”In his free time, Smith enjoys reading many different types ofbooks, from art and art history to science.In conjunction with reading, Smith is also a well-establishedauthor. He plans to launch a new academic journal. He has publishedeight books and is now two-thirds through completing hisnewest work, “The Oz Complex,” which blends the life and workof L. Frank Baum with guidance for professional and personal development.An avid follower of both the "Wizard of Oz" book and movie,Smith has followed a yellow brick road throughout his career, soto speak. Along the way, he has found his brain, heart and courage.mc(Matt Dowdy is a junior public relations major from Idalou, Texas.Christina Pavlovsky is a senior photocommunications and advertisingdual major from Houston, Texas.)10 | mc mc | 11