August 21, 2007

LIVINGSTON, Ala.--A Lively Mind: The Story of Lynn Arthur Smith, A Gifted Teacher by Sumter County native and former UWA Vice President for University Relations John Neel remembers the longtime English professor and Pi Kappa Phi fraternity advisor.

Smith taught at the University from 1954 until his death in 1977. This biography, which features many of Smith’s speeches, sermons, verses and other writings, offers insight into the time period and the University’s history.

Neel credits Dollie Smith for keeping all of her late husband’s written material and for approaching Neel with the idea of compiling everything into a book.

“I have worked on this book for a long time, and I hope it will be of interest to Lynn’s former students and friends,” Neel said. “Although I never actually had a class under Lynn Smith, I knew him well and admired his excellence as a teacher and his charm as a friend.”

Part of the proceeds of the book will go to UWA’s Sharon Smith Pafford Scholarship Fund, which was established by Lynn and Dollie Smith in memory of their daughter. A UWA graduate and English teacher, Sharon was killed in a car wreck. Her portrait hangs in the Student Union Building.

Copies of A Lively Mind are available for $14.95 plus $4 tax and shipping. For more information or to order a copy of the book, please contact Neel at 205-652-7243 or johnsneel@bellsouth.net.