University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg celebrates President Sharon Smith

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University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg celebrates President Sharon Smith

Dan Speicher | Monday, April 15, 2019 1:30 a.m.

Dan Speicher | Tribune-Review

Jackie Horrall, vice president of academic affairs, talks about the accomplishments of University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg President Sharon Smith, particularly noting her development of an English as a Second Language nursing program, during a surprise retirement celebration that included the dedication of a bronze statue of the campus mascot, Bruiser the Bobcat, on campus in Hempfield Township, on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. Smith will officially retire on June 30.

University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg students, faculty and staff gathered this week for a surprise celebration for retiring school President Sharon Smith, who has held office since 2007.

Greeted by the campus mascot, Bruiser the Bobcat, Smith was led into the dining hall to meet cheering friends, family members and students.

She is the fourth president of Pitt-Greensburg, having established it as the university’s second-largest regional campus, with nearly 1,600 full-time and part-time undergraduate students.

Smith is credited with leading the integration of Pitt-Greensburg’s liberal arts programs with digital learning, and introducing majors in nursing, health care management, public policy, education and Spanish, as well as four certificate programs.

“I was planning on writing a book,” Smith said when asked about what’s next on her agenda. “But I was just too busy, so now I plan to actually take the year and get it done.”

During the program, Vice President of Academic Affairs Jackie Horrall said Smith helped make the campus “a place where the efforts of staff and faculty can help students thrive, and leave here to lead successful lives. You are eternally optimistic, and you have never allowed the limits of our resources to constrain or stifle your creativity, your vision and your enthusiasm.”

Student body President Kevin Kara also bestowed accolades and thanks.

“You pioneered the start of the nursing program,” Kara said. “So, I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart, for all the work you have done for this university.”

Smith said the growth of the school has “been challenging times for all of us, but we are just like Bruiser (the school’s bobcat mascot): We’re agile, and we adapt, and we anticipate and we go forward. At the end of the day, you are the future and we want you to be far more than you ever dreamed you could be. And you surprise us every day, because you exceed even our dreams for you.

“This has just been just so so special,” she added.

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