BOB SMITH HONORED BY UT BOARD OF TRUSTEES AS 10 TH UT MARTIN CHANCELLOR
BOB SMITH HONORED BY UT BOARD OF TRUSTEES AS 10 TH UT MARTIN CHANCELLOR
MARTIN, Tenn. – Dr. Bob Smith achieved several milestone goals as the University of Tennessee at
Martin’s interim chancellor. The UT Board of Trustees recognized those accomplishments as the word
“interim” was removed from his title during the board’s spring meeting March 29 in Chattanooga. Smith
is now officially listed as the university’s 10 th chancellor, and Dr. Keith Carver, originally named the
university’s 10 th chancellor, is now the 11 th to hold that title. Smith was also granted the honorary title of
“chancellor emeritus” by the board.
“This is an appropriate way to recognize Dr. Smith for his tenure as interim chancellor. His commitment
to enrollment, philanthropy and SACS accreditation were invaluable in helping UT Martin continue to
educate and serve the citizens of West Tennessee,” said Carver. “We owe him a debt of gratitude for his
leadership, and I am grateful for the counsel and guidance he has given me during this transition.”
Smith, who lives in Franklin, Tenn., previously served nine years as president of Slippery Rock
University of Pennsylvania and retired as president emeritus. He was named UT Martin’s interim
chancellor after Dr. Tom Rakes returned to the faculty in June 2015. During his 19-month tenure, Smith
guided the university through a yearlong accreditation probation period from the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
He also saw the completion of the new academic building and press box space in Hardy M. Graham
Stadium; helped secure the single-largest financial gift in university history to build the future Latimer
Engineering and Science Building on the UT Martin main campus; and spearheaded a campaign to fund a
new Innovation and Product Realization Facility where local industry leaders could partner with UT
Martin students and faculty to develop new products and ideas. Smith also approved the official start of
renovations on the former Methodist Fayette Hospital, the future home of the UT Martin Somerville
Center.
“We have definitely benefited from (Smith’s) gifted leadership, and during his tenure many things
changed at UT Martin,” UT President Joe DiPietro said Dec. 10, 2016, during Smith’s final
commencement as interim chancellor. “We wish Bob and (his wife) Ramona well, and we want to thank
them for all they’ve done to improve (the university). … We owe them a thanks we can never, ever truly
repay.”
Smith ended his tenure as UT Martin interim chancellor Jan. 2, 2017, and Carver began his duties Jan. 3.
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