Virginia Smith ’89 receives Distinguished Alumnae Award.
During the 2013 commencement ceremony, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College presented Virginia (Ginger) Smith, a 1989 graduate, with the Distinguished Alumnae Award. The Award is the highest honor the College bestows upon a graduate in recognition of her noteworthy achievements and valuable professional and personal contributions.
Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Indiana State University. She volunteered and served as a substitute teacher in the Vigo County School Corporation. Later, she became interested in business when she began her career at Princeton Mining Company. Smith soon realized how valuable a business education could be and enrolled in the Women’s External Degree program at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. She graduated with her second bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1989.
She credits her success to her family and her Catholic roots. This foundation shaped her business intellect and sense of responsibility to her community into a strong, confident woman.
As a vital part of the Terre Haute community, she has served on the boards of many community organizations including the Wabash Valley Community Foundation, the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra and the Swope Art Museum. She helped establish the Woods Day Care, and served on its board of directors and as president. She also volunteers at the St. Patrick Parish soup kitchen.
The Smith Family
An avid supporter of the College, she has given of her time and resources in many ways. Smith served on the board of trustees from 1993-1997 and again from 2001-2010. She was a member of various committees and held leadership positions including board secretary and board vice chair. Her generous contributions have funded scholarships and strengthened the educational and extracurricular opportunities at The Woods.
She is the mother of two sons, Jeffery and Henry, and a daughter, Lesley Bell. She also has ten grandchildren.
Smith has demonstrated excellence in her career and given back to her community, embodying the principles we hold dear. She is a significant part of the College and her leadership means so much to us all. She has made a difference in the lives of our students and we appreciate her loyalty to and love for The Woods.