December 19, 2006

Presbyterian College lost one of the most memorable and colorful members of its family this week when South Carolina Sen. J. Verne Smith of Greer passed away.

Smith, a member of the S.C. Senate since 1973, died Sunday morning at the age of 81 after battling a longtime illness that caused him to miss the entirety of the 2006 state legislative session and just 29 days after he lost his beloved wife, Jean, to a stroke.

The president of the Tire Exchange Inc. in Greer, Smith completed his freshman year at PC in 1943 when duty called him to serve in World War II. Though he never returned to PC to complete his studies, he always considered the college "his" school – and the feeling was mutual. In 1986, PC presented him with the Alumni Gold P Award, the highest honor presented to college alumni. At the college's 118th Commencement in 2001, he accepted an honorary doctor of public service degree by declaring, "Thank the Lord. I finally got my PC degree!"

"We will miss Senator Smith, as will so many others in our state," said PC president Dr. John Griffith. "He was a remarkable man. A gifted leader who always put the interests of the citizens of South Carolina first, he understood the importance of education, both to our students and, ultimately, our world. We are proud and grateful that he was one of ours."

Smith always provided a warm welcome for fellow Blue Hose. At the S.C. Independent Colleges and Universities annual Independent Colleges and Universities Day at the S.C. State House, he would frequently meet and greet – and have his picture taken with – current PC students and regale them with tales of love for his alma mater.

"He was always gracious with his time.  He enjoyed meeting the students and chatting about his time at Presbyterian College," said Steve Owens, executive director of communications.  "I think the students enjoyed their time with him even more.  He would point out and share stories about the photos hanging on his office walls, and always proudly displayed the Alumni Gold P Award."

Smith earned numerous awards and honors during his storied political and professional career. A major player in bringing BMW to the Upstate, he earned the state's highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto, in 1995, and was named Legislator of the Year by the Greenville News.

He is survived by his son, Jeff Smith, and daughter, Carole Olmert.