Roderick L. Smothers, the new president of Little Rock's historic Philander Smith College, was welcomed at a reception held Jan. 21 in the Kendall Science and Health Mission Center Atrium at the college. Attendees included members of the college's board of trustees, officials from the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church, student body representatives, alumni and local business and community leaders.
The trustees announced Smothers' selection in September, and his term began Jan. 5. A native of Louisiana, Smothers earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Louisiana State University, as well as a doctorate in educational leadership, research and counseling. He is the former vice president of advancement for another historically black college, Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas.
"I'm excited to be here as your 14th president," Smothers told the audience. "I am proud to be a member of the Philander Smith College family. I am proud to be your president." Afterward, Smothers greeted attendees individually.
Founded in 1877 as Walden Seminary, Philander Smith, a four-year liberal arts college, is one of the oldest historically black institutions of higher learning in Arkansas.
-- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams
High Profile on 02/01/2015