Doc Smith Plaque
Doc Smith Plaque
Doc Smith Appreciation Plaque Presentation - June 10, 2017

At the 70th Anniversary, on June 10th, 2017 on the steps of Sheldon Hall, we gathered for a historic picture.  Just before we snapped the picture, we surprised Dr. John Kares Smith by presenting him with a special plaque recognizing his status as Sigma Gamma's longest serving Fraternity Adviser.  Dr. Smith came on board in 1981 and has served with distinction and selflessness.  To make sure that the brothers assembled for the picture knew what was on the plaque, Alumni Board Member Peter Devine read the plaque out loud to all brothers.  We then put Doc Smith on the spot and asked him to give an impromptu speech.  Being a highly distinguished Communications Professor, in true style, Doc Smith hit it out of the park and spoke from his heart.  It was a really special moment in our history.

Thank you Doc Smith!  We hope you are able to keep serving as our Adviser for many years to come.

Here is the transcript from the presentation:

Peter Devine - "Brothers, now that we're all assembled here for this historic picture, we would like to use this opportunity to recognize someone really, really special in Sigma Gamma.  The longest serving adviser, Dr. John Smith.  And now, I'm going to read you guys the plaque that we're about to give Dr. Smith." (reads plaque inscription, see picture above).

Assembled Brothers break out into a huge roar and applause......

Dr. Smith steps up to the microphone: "You know, it has been a long, long time.  Part of what I've enjoyed all these years is the notion that the highest calling in any human life is the call to service.  A lot of you are teachers, lawyers, medical people, business people, personnel people doing service related work.  A lot of those service skills are skills you learned in Sigma Gamma. And so, I found it to be an incredible experience to get to know students and alumni in ways I would never get to know otherwise.  

{Laughter erupts from the crowd of assembled brothers......}

And so, well... that means both personally and representing some of you at judicial affairs too!

{Another loud burst of laughter and applause erupts from the Brothers....}

I've done all of that, and all I can say is thank you!  Thank you, very much!

{Gamma Brothers give Dr. Smith a loud, sustained round of applause......}

A few days after the reunion, Dr. Smith followed up his remarks with a written follow up for the brothers who could not be in attendance for his impromptu speech:

Dear Sigma Gamma Brothers:

The plaque reads: “ . . . .Your wise counsel, dedication and friendship have been a tremendous source of strength to Sigma Gamma.” I was literally speechless when Peter presented this to me on behalf of the fraternity.....being speechless is not such a good thing if you are a speech teacher like I am! I spoke Saturday of service, of trust, of sacrifice. Yes, so many wonderful opportunities the brothers have had because of the fraternity. But I should also have said what the fraternity has done for me. I have taught at SUNY - Oswego for decades; yet I rarely get to know my students like I know the men of Sigma Gamma: I know their majors, their academic lives...but I know their joys, their sacrifices, their obstacles, their challenges, their heartaches, their fine achievements, their leadership development. Thus, I know the men of Sigma Gamma not just as students but as people.

At the fine reception Saturday at Steamers, I was talking to some of the newer brothers about what the fraternity means to me and what it can mean to them. Look around, I said: there is no one here . . . young or not so young, single or grandfatherly . . . who would hurt you; there is no one here to be afraid of; there is no one here in Sigma Gamma, regardless of age or situation or status who is not truly your brother. Who else can ever say that? Who else can be surrounded by friendship, bonds of respect and true brotherhood? It seems such a shame that most of our college administrators never seem to know the true meaning of brotherhood, especially that found in Sigma Gamma.

In my impromptu speech Saturday, I did forget one brother who was very important to me: the late Jim Bright. Jim had been a student of mine in 1979-1980. He was the first brother to ask me to consider being your Advisor. I accepted his offer. And so much good came to me as well as to the fraternity. My regret is that I never thanked him for asking me....and now it is too late for me to do that.

Yes, I have done some fine things for the fraternity. But the fraternity has done some fine things for me; it has offered me another means of service, another means of knowing students, another means of friendship and respect. Yes, to borrow the words of our song, Sigma Gamma as “never failed” me. And it is ever my hope to never fail Sigma Gamma. Thanks again for the plaque and for your affections and for your years of friendship; I will always be grateful.

Sincerely,

Dr. John Kares Smith
Sigma Gamma Fraternity Adviser
June 2017
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