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Former Arkansas State President Dr. Eugene Smith dies at age 88

Dr. Eugene W. Smith, who served as president for 8 years at ASU died at the age of 88 in Jonesboro after a lengthy illness.
Dr. Eugene W. Smith [Arkansas State University]

JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas State University officials have said Dr. Eugene W. Smith, who served as president for 8 years and was named president emeritus, has died in Jonesboro after a lengthy illness. He was 88.

Emerson Funeral Home Director Rick Carter said Smith died in hospice Sunday.

Smith was born June 10, 1930. After graduating from Arkansas State, Smith served in the Korean War before completing a master's and doctoral degree in education at the University of Mississippi.

Smith returned to Arkansas State, first as faculty then director of graduate programs. As executive assistant to the president in 1967, he helped the college attain university status.

Smith was appointed president in 1984. During his tenure, he established the school's first doctoral program and helped to start forming the Arkansas State University System.

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