MANSFIELD, PA— Longtime Trustee Howard Smith was awarded the Mansfield University Presidential Coin for Excellence by President Fran Hendricks on October 25.
Smith of West Burlington, PA served on the Mansfield Council of Trustees for 30 years before retiring from the board in 2013.
He and his wife Olynda (Chaffee), a 1957 Mansfield graduate, are both longtime supporters of MU, with a particular interest in the music program, having made six trips to Europe with various ensembles.
They created the Howard and Olynda Chaffee (’57) Smith Endowed Music Fund, which is used to help with travel costs of choral groups, and provide scholarship assistance to vocal students.
The presentation was made at the annual Choral Collage held at Steadman Theatre.
“It’s very appropriate that we honored Howard at a music event, given his and Olynda’s long standing support of this program,” MU President Fran Hendricks said. “It was a nice added touch that we made the presentation on their 57th wedding anniversary.”
“Howard’s service to Mansfield as a trustee and supporter, his service to his community and region, as well as his service to our country in the U.S. Army Reserve, all led to this most deserving selection.”
The coin was developed by Hendricks and designed by MU Publications Director Andy Worthington. It is awarded selectively to persons who have contributed greatly to the university, using the Mansfield Creed; Character, Scholarship, Culture and Service as a guideline.
The coin bears several symbols representing historical highlights and other aspects of the university that make it distinctive.
For more information on the Mansfield University Presidential Coin for Excellence and to see the gallery of honorees, go to president.mansfield.edu/coin-for-excellence