MARTY SMITH TAKES THE REINS OF INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

MARTY SMITH TAKES THE REINS OF INSTITUTIONAL

ADVANCEMENTby John Sewell

Seated in his new office on the second floor of Whitworth Hall, Marty Smith already looks at home.

“I’m a product of a small private college and have spent nearly 30 years working with small private colleges,” said Smith. “It was important to me that, if I was going to make a move, it be to a college like Millsaps.”

That’s what initially attracted Smith to his new role as vice president of institutional advancement.

Beyond that, he cites the opportunity to work with Dr. Rob Pearigen, president of Millsaps.

“He’s a successful fundraising president, and I wanted the opportunity to work with someone who is experienced in fundraising,” Smith said. “And joining a team that has enjoyed success through the difficult years of the pandemic was important.”

Pearigen has a similar view of what it will be like to work with Smith.

“Marty understands the value of a residential, liberal arts college education and is quick to say that his own life was transformed by such an experience,” Pearigen said. “He has led institutions to a greater engagement of alumni, developing the creative programs and events that led to that engagement. He has a warm and embracing personality and is a person of strong character and deep faith.”

Smith comes to Millsaps from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he served as senior associate vice chancellor for development and alumni affairs. He also previously held roles as vice president for advancement at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, and Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, and as vice president for university advancement at Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts in public relations at Ottawa University and his Master’s in Sports Administration at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.

At Ottawa University, Smith led the most successful campaign in the institution’s history and then did the same at Illinois Wesleyan, raising more than $141 million to establish new student scholarships and new endowed professorships, build and improve campus facilities and support the overall endowment.

He looks to replicate that success at Millsaps but is quick to note that it’s not an individual effort.

“Those previous campaigns weren’t Marty Smith accomplishments — we had wonderful support across the board that made them successful,” he said. “Millsaps has a strong president who knows fundraising, an active and engaged board of trustees and an accomplished staff.”

One important part of Smith’s transition is becoming familiar with the campus community and surrounding areas. He and his wife, Cindy, have been impressed by their welcome so far.

“We’ve had a great experience, and everyone is so committed to Millsaps. I’m getting to know the staff and look forward to getting to know more students and faculty.”

Cindy also worked at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and has recently accepted a position at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, so she and Marty will continue to work close to each other. They have three children — Caleb, who works in Chicago; Rachel, in Lexington, Kentucky; and Gabe, who is a junior at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

The Smiths like to spend their free time hiking and are looking forward to finding new trails around the state. Smith is quick to admit that they also like to find trails with great places to eat close by in order to start and end their treks with a good meal.

Smith replaces Hope Carter, who accepted a position at the University of Florida last year.

Smith started in his new role on Jan. 18, 2022. He can be reached at marty.smith@millsaps.edu.