Mary Boyer Smith, who gave more than 40 years of her life to
Youngstown State University and has remained active in the Mahoning
Valley community, was honored along with Paul McFadden and Jeff
Wilkins as the 2001 Penguins of the Year at the 11th annual Penguin
Club Scholarship/Ring Dinner last year.
Smith came to Youngstown College in 1939 and retired in 1980
after serving in various capacities in her more than 40 years at
the University. Once Smith retired she continued to be active in
various church and charity organizations in the Valley.
She was hired at Youngstown College by President Howard Jones in
October 1939 to be a biology professor and an admissions counselor.
She served that role until 1944 when she became an assistant
registrar and recorder. For 22 years she was the assistant
registrar before taking over as YSU's registrar in 1966. She worked
as the registrar until 1971 when she moved to the position of dean
of admission and records. After two years in that role, she became
the Director of Planning and Placement until her retirement in June
1980.
A supporter of the Athletic Department, Smith was the head of
Youngstown College's Physical Education Department and coordinator
of health and physical education from 1947 to 1957.
When Smith joined the university, Youngstown College had an
enrollment of 723. When she left in 1980, Youngstown State
University's enrollment was 15,000.
A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., she was the president of the
Youngstown Federation of Women's Clubs Inc., an organization of
more than 30 women's clubs throughout the Valley. She played a
major role in the development of a Youngstown United Way chapter.
At First Christian Church, she was chairwoman of the board for
three years, treasurer for three years and was also a Sunday School
Teacher. In her spare time, she was an avid golfer. She was also a
YWCA board member and president.
For her efforts she has earned many awards. In 1997, she earned
the Lifetime Leadership Award from Hiram College. At the 11th
annual YWCA Women-of-the-Year banquet she was one of 11 women
honored as Women of the Year. A scholarship at YSU is in her name
presented by the Youngstown Educational Foundation. In 1990, she
was inducted into the YSU Athletics Hall of Fame. In 1981, Smith
was a recipient of a Doctor of Humanities Degree.
Prior to her lifetime commitment to YSU, Smith taught and
coached in the Trumbull County School System. From 1931 through
1936 she coached High School athletics in the Mecca schools. She
also spent 10 years as a semi-professional basketball player in
Warren. While in school at Hiram College, she worked as the alumni
secretary while she was working toward her bachelor's degree. She
earned her bachelor's of arts in teaching in 1939. She later
received a masters from The Ohio State University in 1947.
Smith grew up playing basketball and participating in track and
field at Cortland High School in 1927 and 1928.
She was married to Dr. Joseph E. Smith, a dean at YSU, who
passed away in 1970.
