Doc Smith Appreciation Plaque Presentation - June 10, 2017







At the 70th Anniversary, on June 10th, 2017 on the steps of Sheldon Hall, we gathered for a historic picture. Just before we snapped the picture, we surprised Dr. John Kares Smith by presenting him with a special plaque recognizing his status as Sigma Gamma's longest serving Fraternity Adviser. Dr. Smith came on board in 1981 and has served with distinction and selflessness. To make sure that the brothers assembled for the picture knew what was on the plaque, Alumni Board Member Peter Devine read the plaque out loud to all brothers. We then put Doc Smith on the spot and asked him to give an impromptu speech. Being a highly distinguished Communications Professor, in true style, Doc Smith hit it out of the park and spoke from his heart. It was a really special moment in our history.





Thank you Doc Smith! We hope you are able to keep serving as our Adviser for many years to come.





Here is the transcript from the presentation:





Peter Devine - "Brothers, now that we're all assembled here for this historic picture, we would like to use this opportunity to recognize someone really, really special in Sigma Gamma. The longest serving adviser, Dr. John Smith. And now, I'm going to read you guys the plaque that we're about to give Dr. Smith." (reads plaque inscription, see picture above).





Assembled Brothers break out into a huge roar and applause......





Dr. Smith steps up to the microphone: "You know, it has been a long, long time. Part of what I've enjoyed all these years is the notion that the highest calling in any human life is the call to service. A lot of you are teachers, lawyers, medical people, business people, personnel people doing service related work. A lot of those service skills are skills you learned in Sigma Gamma. And so, I found it to be an incredible experience to get to know students and alumni in ways I would never get to know otherwise.





{Laughter erupts from the crowd of assembled brothers......}





And so, well... that means both personally and representing some of you at judicial affairs too!





{Another loud burst of laughter and applause erupts from the Brothers....}





I've done all of that, and all I can say is thank you! Thank you, very much!





{Gamma Brothers give Dr. Smith a loud, sustained round of applause......}





A few days after the reunion, Dr. Smith followed up his remarks with a written follow up for the brothers who could not be in attendance for his impromptu speech:



