The Heart of Ray and Eleanor Smiley

Being a product of Catholic education and lifelong service to others is at the heart of what motivates Ray and Eleanor Smiley. After a successful career in the military, as a senior accountant at Price Waterhouse, and as chief financial officer of Bearings, Inc., Ray Smiley and his wife continue to share their talents, and resources to help ensure that students in Kentucky, Ohio, and Oklahoma have the same opportunities of a Catholic education that were available to them, their eight children, 21 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

The Smiley’s connection to Lexington Catholic High School began in 2013 when their granddaughter, Anna Smiley, enrolled as a student. Since her graduation in 2017, the family has continued to remain connected to Lexington Catholic High School through the establishment of the Smiley-Spalding Scholarship. The Smileys have committed to assisting students wishing to attend Lexington Catholic that may not have the financial needs necessary to attend.

The Smileys have given over $3 million in support to Catholic education and services throughout Ohio but have only given to Lexington Catholic in the state of Kentucky. They have provided support in education for programs supporting students with learning differences, to increase STEM opportunities, forming partnerships between the community and Catholic schools. The Smileys have created scholarships at 10 different Catholic high schools and universities.

“We are grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Smiley’s commitment to support our mission,” Mathew George, principal of Lexington Catholic, said. “They could have walked away from Lexington Catholic after their granddaughter graduated, but in appreciation for the preparation we provided her, they wanted to make sure others after her could benefit from the education we offer.”

“I truly would not have been able to become the woman I am today without the shaping of my education at Lexington Catholic,” Anna Smiley ‘17 said. “Lexington Catholic helped to develop my passion for service and realize the importance of striving to uplift the dignity of all people regardless of race, creed, or status.” Since her time here, Anna Smiley had begun several outreach programs within the Lexington community and at her college alma mater, John Carroll University.

Graduates and recipients of the scholarship have stated that they are grateful to the family for their assistance. Several have stated that they would not have been able to afford a Catholic education without the support of the Smiley family. Dozens of current LCHS students and graduates have been helped through financial assistance provided through the scholarship in their name.

“The education that everyone has received is far greater in cost than the tuition that was charged when they were there,” Ray Smiley said. “As we look continually toward the future, it is so important that those students, who have not had the opportunity of sufficient resources, can be rewarded by the gifts from others who have been successful, in hope that they also are.”