Arkansas Tech University receives $1.55 million endowment from former textbook company CEO

The Arkansas Tech University Board of Trustees and ATU President Dr. Robin E. Bowen recognized C. LeMoyne Smith of Little Rock for establishing a new $1.55 million endowment with the ATU Foundation during a board meeting at Ross Pendergraft Library and Technology Center on Thursday (Aug. 15).

The gift is directed to aid students in the ATU College of Business.

“Because of what I learned at Arkansas Tech, and didn’t know at the time that I was learning, I was able to apply those principles in my life…a people-oriented direction of doing the right thing, always being ethical and always being a part of that group of people like (former academic dean) A.J. Crabaugh…intellectually honest,” said Smith, who was joined at Thursday’s board meeting by his wife, Jawanda. “To the extent that you can do those things well, and have a strong commitment to it…that’s what Arkansas Tech has always been about, and I think will always be about. That’s why I feel (ATU) is worth supporting.”

After graduating from Pottsville High School, Smith enrolled at Arkansas Tech and pursued a degree in business. Smith graduated from Arkansas Tech in 1956. He taught in K-12 school districts and at Arkansas Tech before an opportunity to contribute to education from the private sector presented itself.

South-Western Publishing Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, hired Smith to sell textbooks and other learning materials beginning in 1960. He rose to become president and chief executive officer for South-Western Publishing in 1982. Smith continued in that capacity for eight years. He retired in 1991 as chairman.

He has served on the ATU College of Business Advisory Board and is a director emeritus on the ATU Foundation Board of Directors. Smith received Arkansas Tech’s highest honor in 1988 when he was inducted into the ATU Hall of Distinction.

“(ATU) has remained truly committed to students,” said Smith. “This is where you want to come and get a good education because the faculty care about you. The opportunities are there. You have to work and you have to make things happen, but you always know that the faculty commitment is there.”