September 1, 2004

Dr. Edith Smith wins Malone Distinguished Faculty Award at Troy University

Dr. Edith Smith, associate professor of kinesiology and health promotion at Troy University , has been honored with the Wallace D. Malone, Jr. Distinguished Faculty Award.

Dr. Smith, a full-time member of the TROY faculty since 1994 and an alumna of the University, received the award from Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr., chancellor of Troy University , during the institution’s annual Faculty and Staff Convocation.

In announcing the winner, Dr. Ed Roach, provost, called Smith “a teacher of teachers.”

“Dr. Smith is a great teacher and mentor to her students and other faculty members,” Dr. Roach said.

Designed to recognize those who have exhibited excellence through outstanding teaching, public service, publications and research, the Wallace D. Malone Award is presented annually to a full-time TROY faculty member. Recipients are first nominated by their deans, department chairs or their peers, and then selected by an award committee for the honor.

Fulltime faculty members from any TROY campus or site are eligible for the award, which consists of a trophy, a $1,500 cash prize and a medallion to be worn with academic regalia.

The award is made possible through a $100,000 endowment by the SouthTrust Corp. Wallace Malone, the chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, served as a TROY trustee from 1975-1995.

Dr. Smith, a native of Clayton who resides in Troy , has taught both graduate and undergraduate courses in the fields of sports and fitness management, physical education and athletic training since coming to the TROY Campus in 1994. Previously, she taught as an adjunct professor in the School of Education on the University’s Dothan Campus.

Dr. Smith also served as a graduate teaching assistant at Auburn University from 1990-1993, and prior to that was an instructor and head coach of the women’s basketball team at Wallace State Community College .

Dr. Smith presently serves as chair of the Troy University Faculty Development Committee, coordinator of the College of Health and Human Services ’ Sponsored Programs and director of the Exercise Physiology Laboratory. In 2002, Dr. Smith was chosen as a Chancellor’s Fellow, a program implemented by Chancellor Hawkins in 1995 to increase faculty and staff members’ knowledge and understanding of the programs and operations of Troy University.

Dr. Smith is a certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Health and Fitness Instructor, Basic Cardiac Life Support Instructor and Advanced Cardiac Life Support.

Dr. Smith said she “revels in the successes of students that she has been privileged to teach.”

“I am very appreciative of and humbled by this honor,” she said.

Dr. Smith earned her bachelor’s degree in biology and physical education from Troy University in 1979, her master’s degree in physical education with an emphasis in exercise physiology from Auburn University in 1980 and her Ph.D. in physiology from Auburn University in 1994.