Arthur L. Smith Scholarship

Arthur L. Smith is a man who prefers minimum publicity. “I’m like a tree,” he says, “and a tree doesn’t shout at anybody.”

Another characteristic often associated with a tree is “perpetuity,” and Art Smith deserves this comparison as well.

Art, a 1923 graduate of Goshen College and a former resident of South Bend, Indiana, who now lives in Eureka, Illinois, has devoted his life to teaching about the environment and its sensitive balance, a vital topic in these days of ecological uncertainty.

He majored in biology at Goshen——a primary influence in his life was Goshen College’s professor of biology S. W. Witmer–and then spent 40 years teaching science in South Bend public high schools and Indiana University at South Bend (IUSB).

His activity was not limited to the classroom, however. He was a nature guide at YMCA Camp Eberhart in Michigan. He helped to found the South Bend Audubon Society. He introduced the formation of the Junior Academy of Science to the professional-level Indiana Academy of Science.

Now retired and living with his sister, Pearl, at Maple Lawn Homes in Eureka Art’s lifelong interests continue in several ways. One project reflects his concern with the environment. On 3 acres of land, he has carefully planted over 120 species of trees, shrubs and wildflowers in an ecologically correct balance. When full grown, the woods will replicate the virgin land of central Illinois–gradual transition between oak-hickory forests and blue- stem grass prairie.

Another hobby is his genealogy of the family of his great-grandfather, Christian Smith, who immigrated from Europe to Pennsylvania in 1829, and then to Illinois four years later and whose descendants now number over 2,000.

His interest in his heritage is reflected in a trust fund Art set up to benefit Maple Lawn Homes, a retirement and nursing care facility owned and operated by Mennonite Board of Missions. This “gift of perpetuity” is in memory of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph 0. Smith.

Similarly, Art has established this gift annuity plan with Goshen College, which gives first priority to direct descendants of Art’s parents. “I want to see Goshen College prosper and enlarge and meet the needs of our young people,” he said.

Art Smith’s generosity to Goshen College, like his care for the balance of nature, is a truly perpetual gift. His help will ensure that Goshen will remain healthy, growing and stable as “a tree planted by the waters.”