The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-11-30
WILLIAM WAUGH SMITH. AM. LID.

The name OF DR. W W Smith, who passed
away yesterday at his home in Lynchourg' IL
snsaparably interwoven in the latter history
81 Randofph-Mscon College student. pro-
lessor, president and chancellor mark the
stages in an educational career that was re-
lated in wonderfully successful way to an
! institution OF national reputation. To DR.. /
smith more than to any other man belongs
the credit OF bringing the Randolph-Macon
system OF schools and colleges to state of
educational efficiency that has given 1t widely
recognized and richly deserved standing in the
educational world.
The system. in a very real sense, is the
child of his brain and heart and unremitting
tell 1t was when president Of the college in
Ashland that he conceived the idea Of group
OF educational institutions intimately con
nected and intelhgently correlated that the boy
and girl seeking advanced education might
start In the preparatory schools and
a graduate In the college without break
ard in the enjoyment Of the advantage
h iii institutions dominated by the same
spirit and ideals and governed by the same
principles and methods. He gave himself to
the development of this idea with an earnest
EnAess unparalleled In the educational history
of the State. and by the power OF his con-
structive genius, his dominating personality
and his dauntless spirit brought 1t to success
full contamination. Today two male acade-
mics, girls preparatory school and two col
\ than 1900 students stand enduring monu-
rnents to the unselfsh labors and the intelli-
gent leadership of this man.
Perhaps the greatest work of his life, GER
N tainly that which was most in his heart, was
fEe establishment and successful development
or the woman's College in Lynchburg, The
movement begun by him in 1891; the in
u eight pupils. Today there is property valued
y at 100000 and enrolment of nearly six
hundred students. and the institution stands
absolutely alone in the South in the grade OF
work done.
While this great work could not have been
accomplished without the hearty and generous
support OF the public. yet its achievement is
directly attributable to Dr.. Smith, whose vision
beheld the need for the possibility OF such a
work and whose master mind directed ii &c
successful contamination. Dr. Alderman but
echoed the general verdict OF informed mer
when he declared that DR.. Smith had done
n more for education in the South than any
other man within her borders. BY the results
Of his life he stands without rival as the
4 greatest leader in the field OF Southern educa
u ten in the establishment and development Of
Institutions of learning
The work reveals the character of the man
Unless ne had possessed superior qualifications
his dreams would have died in the dreaming
But he possessed the intellectual and mora
M qualities to make real the hopes OF his heart
He was blessed with vision and the power te
make others see; he possessed the enthusiasm
that spread its contagion to the minds and
hearts of others; he employed an indomitable
81 energy that held him to the accomplishment
n Of an unchangng purpose and a sublime Cd,
fimsm that would not see when less earnest
men made prophecy OF failure he manifested
eLch constructive powers. such talents in or.
NJ Eanization and administration as enabled hin,
Ri 20 direct TO successful ends the resources upon
which he had levied
Above ALL his work was characterized nv q
sublime unselhshness. He had passion for
IN service that contemplated not his own enrich.
ment or ACKNOWLEDGMENT but only the success.
fni accomplishment OF the things that he
planned for the good OF others Through ali
khe years OF his connection with the RandoInh.
Macon system and in all the success Of his
Shorts he served at salary far smaller than
Ah work merited, and much OF what he re-
nEiyed ne generously gave to the institution,
ma Church he loved with the whole deyotioy
Af his heart
WIN He was loyal member of the Metbodis
hnrch Whether In conspicuous place in tn,
60uncils and work OF the great denominatio,
M which he belonged or in the quiet and nm
RESERVATIONS work of his local church he wal
1Dathful and earnest None can testify Sc wei
his loyalty. his lberality. his zeal as thos.
&1c have served as his pastor at the River
p1nt Avenue church in Lynchburg
z r. great man has fallen His city, his col
his Church and State will sadly miss him
n sAsll not soon zee his like again.
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