A Cougar Legacy

First Lady's lengthy career dedicated to education

by Karleen Koen

For more than 15 years, education, in the sense of making friends for a university, has been the top point on University of Houston First Lady June Smith’s agenda. But, there was a life before she was part of a university presidential couple. And that, too, was about education.

When University of Houston President Arthur K. Smith moved to the University of South Carolina as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, Mrs. Smith naturally moved with him, taking a two-year leave of absence from her job as a teacher in New York. She had been a high school and then elementary teacher for more than 22 years.

After two years in South Carolina, events at that university propelled him forward as interim president, and she was propelled, too. His new responsibilities meant a brand new set of responsibilities for her as well.

“We’ve always been a team,’” she said. “We’ve always done things together. When he decided to go on, I said, ‘Fine, I’ll go, too.”

Her former school system contacted her, letting her know they were still reserving a place for her, a place she couldn’t accept and a compliment she treasures to this day.

“I’ve always taken it for granted that I love teaching and education. It doesn’t matter at what level,” she said. “You care about all students, no matter their background. You want education available to all kids.”

That interest showed in her work on the board of Teach for America and on the volunteer committee of the Institute of International Education. Before responsibilities as interim first lady at USC swept her up, she missed teaching so badly she taught an adult literacy course.

“That was extremely rewarding for me. There are so many adults walking around who have missed out,” she said. “Adult literacy, reading skills and making certain kids at an early age have the opportunity to learn to read are so important. But, it is equally important to make sure that if the system fails, people can have the opportunity later on to catch up.”

June brims with enthusiasm about UH and its mission. It’s been her official job and her unofficial passion for six years, since she came to Houston as first lady of the university and the UH System. Before that, she and President Smith were at the University of Utah as president and first lady for six years. She left that university with a huge number of friends and an honorary doctor of humane letters degree for her service.

“The first lady of the university is the institution’s greatest ambassador, helping to bring the story of the university and its successes to community people who often have no other connection to UH,” said Wendy Adair, associate vice president for public affairs.

“I can get on a soapbox,” Mrs. Smith said. “I’m always out there talking about how good we are, about what we do and about how important we are to the community. We have a wonderful story to tell here. We have a fantastic faculty. We have a wonderful staff. And believe me, the community -- I think they always thought it -- but they’re more open now about recognizing it.”

Philanthropist Carolyn Farb said the Smiths have given a sense of family to those who are dedicated to the university.

“They went out into the community and brought the community to the University of Houston,” she said. “They’ve painted large strokes for the University of Houston and made us all aware of this jewel of an institution that offers everyone an opportunity.”

Adair agreed, elaborating on Mrs. Smith. “June Smith has been a consummate ambassador, welcoming literally thousands of community and civic leaders, executives, donors and alumni as well as faculty, students and staff to Wortham House and to the university over the past six years.”

Mrs. Smith has kept a full schedule since she arrived, both in the city and on campus, hosting events at Wortham House, hosting tables in ballrooms of the Hilton University of Houston Hotel for university events, or attending galas for the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, The Alley Theatre and the Houston Symphony.

“She and President Smith instituted a very special internal community building tradition when they arrived at UH,” said Adair. “Every fall, they invited all faculty and all staff to Wortham House for a welcome-back-to-campus reception. For most people, it was the first time they had met any president or first lady of the university, and definitely the first time they had seen their home.”

Wortham House is a beautiful mansion bequeathed to the university by Gus and Lyndall Wortham and used by the chancellor of the UH System.

“It’s also important for us to be seen in the city,” said President Smith. “If there is a major gala, it’s important for the university to be seen as a player in the city and as a player in support of the philanthropies of Houston because we’re a philanthropy ourselves. If we want other people to give to the university, we need to be seen, the university needs to be seen.”

“June Smith has charmed the city and boosted the university’s development programs in every conceivable way,” said Ileana Treviño, vice president for university advancement. “She has helped local leaders, alumni and the community in general to feel like a member of the UH family.”

Often, the Smiths were out every night of the week on the university’s behalf. President Smith described their efforts as a “whirlwind,” but both Smiths have come to love the university and the Bayou City.

“This is a community that is easy to love,” said Mrs. Smith. “People are warm, welcoming, wanting to know you and wanting to know how you are going to participate in their community. It’s a special city.”

Mrs. Smith has given back to her adoptive city by serving on the advisory boards of The Houston Symphony and The Alley Theatre. She also has, of course, been a presence on campus. To name but a few of her campus activities, she served as honorary chairwoman for the Moores School of Music annual fundraising gala; rooted for the home team at athletic events; and appeared at scholarship and faculty award events.

She also manages Wortham House –– dealing with everything from plumbing problems to landscaping.

“She’s taken over what a full-time house manager used to do,” said President Smith. “It’s an old, grand house and requires a lot of overseeing.”

Wortham House has been the scene these last six years of many events, all of which have been about the university or the UH System. The hospitality received there has brought accolades from regents to community leaders. “I’m a hands on person,” Mrs. Smith said. “I have a hand in every aspect of everything we do as far as entertaining is concerned, from linens to seating.”

Texas Rep. Rick Noriega said that he and every visitor felt an overwhelming sense of welcome and family when passing through Wortham House’s doors. “My family and I will cherish our memories of Christmas.”

Touching on her personal warmth, Noriega said, “It was love at first sight. I had the great pleasure to be teamed with June Smith at a golf tournament and spent my afternoon getting to know half of the dynamic UH team of Art and June Smith.”

Team Smith is a mutually supportive couple intertwined in every aspect of each other’s lives. “She’s somebody I can talk with, a support system, sounding board, shock absorber and morale rejuvenator,” said President Smith.

“Arthur and June Smith clearly came to the University of Houston as a ‘package deal’,” said UH System Board of Regents Chairman Gene McDavid. “If they were being sold as a product, it would be a case of two for the price of one.”

Mrs. Smith said that while representing the university has been an all-consuming affair, she has loved every second of it and sees UH as her family.

“I’ve always viewed the university wherever we’ve been as a family,” she said. “Art has his end, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s been my family; and I’ve tried to promote that fact to the staff, faculty and administration. We’re all in this together, taking care of our students. That’s our love. We want to make sure that they have the very, very best education and that everybody’s trying to help.”