J. Millard "Jack" Smith 1895-1976

Born at Stantonville, Tennessee, J. Millard "Jack" Smith was president of Memphis State College from 1946 until 1960 and was the first alumnus of the college to become president. Following World War II, he guided the institution through an era of academic progress, culminating, in 1957, in the achievement of university status. He was Tennessee Commissioner of Education in 1938 and, again, in 1949-1950, and was president of Tennessee Polytechnic Institute from 1938-1940.