Dr. Stan Smith had the intelligence and determination to succeed at whatever he put his mind to. But what energized him most was teaching. "I am more highly motivated in the field of education than in anything I have ever undertaken," he wrote in his autobiography more than 50 years ago.
Smith taught students in Onondaga Community College's Electrical Technology degree program for 42 years. He was one of the foundational pieces in a major which continues to play a critical role in fulfilling industry workforce demands. He passed away December 24, 2023 at age 92.
"Dr. Smith proved himself to be an outstanding classroom teacher and made valuable contributions to the field of engineering education through his course development. He was a valuable asset to our department and to OCC," wrote OCC Professor Dr. Ramesh Gaonkar in an April 2000 letter in which he nominated Smith for Professor Emeritus status. OCC's Board of Trustees would approve the appointment at its next meeting.
Smith was born in Columbus, Ohio. When his father's work necessitated the family move to Western New York, Smith became Buffalo City Chess Champion from 1947 to 1950. He was so skilled he was named a "National Master" by the U.S. Chess Federation, a title held by less than one percent of all rated players.
He planned to attend the University of Buffalo's Pre-Med program, but the Korean War delayed his college education. He wound up serving with the United States Navy on an aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Hornet, where he specialized in radar and electronics. His technical experience fueled his career goals. After being honorably discharged he enrolled in the University of Michigan's Electrical Engineering program where he would earn a bachelor's degree.
Smith spent 10 years working at the Sperry Gyroscope Company in Great Neck, NY where he designed and developed the Terrier-Talos missile system, and was one of 8 engineers who designed the first digital traffic control system for New York City. In 1968 he returned upstate for an engineering job at General Electric in Syracuse.
He completed a master's degree in Technical Education from SUNY Oswego and left the private sector for a full-time teaching job at OCC. At the time, classes were taught in downtown Syracuse at Midtown Plaza.
While teaching at OCC, he would also earn his Ph.D. in Education from Syracuse University. The advanced degree presented him with the opportunity to become an administrator. But his daughter, Renee Smith '83 who earned a Radio & TV degree from OCC, said teaching was always her father's passion. "He really enjoyed being in the classroom. He was dedicated and devoted to both learning himself and excellence in the classroom, as well as expecting that of his students. He loved his job. Teaching gave him great satisfaction."
During his tenure at OCC he served as Department Chair, was a major contributor to the curriculum development of Bell Atlantic's Next Step program which covered 23 colleges throughout New York State and New England, and was a member of the editorial board for The Business Journal of Central New York's manufacturing section.
Awards related to his work as a professor included the OCC Trustees Award, the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in teaching, the Manufacturer Association of Central New York Endowed Chair for Manufacturing Studies of which he was the first recipient, and he was named to the Who's Who Among America's Teachers in 2000.
Smith would teach full-time at OCC for 30 years, and continue part-time for another 12 years before fully retiring in 2012. He taught students for 42 of the College's first 50 years in existence.
One of his many former students was Marty Kennedy who credits Smith with going above and beyond to help him earn his earn his Electrical Technology degree. "I would be having trouble with something in class and he would tell me to come to his office hours, but it was really when he was eating lunch. He was always willing to help. He wanted people to do well, but he also pushed people hard. Of all the courses I took at OCC or where I got my four-year degree, Stan was the best."
