Raymond L. Smith
Inducted
August 3, 1985
Raymond L. Smith became president at Michigan Tech in 1965 and
served in that position for 14 years, until his retirement in 1979.
During that time, he was instrumental in expanding and improving
Michigan Tech athletics and its facilities. Smith was the driving
force behind the construction of the Student Ice Arena, Student
Development Complex, Gates Tennis Center, and Michigan Tech
Stadium. His efforts have not only benefitted Husky athletics, but
the entire intramural and physical education programs at the
University.
Smith was born in Vanceboro, Maine, and attended the University
of Alaska, where he received his bachelor's degree in mining
engineering in 1943. After teaching at the University of Alaska for
three years, Smith and his wife, Beatrice, moved on to the
University of Pennsylvania, where he received his Ph.D. in
metallurgical engineering in 1953.
Upon completion of his degree at Pennsylvania, he went on to the
Franklin Institue of Research in Philadelphia and , by 1958, he was
acting technical director of the laboratories there. That same
year, during a speaking engagement at Michigan Tech, Smith fell in
love with the Keweenaw area, and, one year later, took over as
department head of metallurgical engineering at Tech. Under his
leadership, the program grew to be one fo the finest in the
nation.
