Dick Enberg CMU Alumni Commitment Award

Time and time again the dedication and commitment Sid, ’65, and Judy French Smith, ’65, have shown to Central Michigan University is evident in their involvement, volunteer work, and financial support. Since marrying while attending CMU in the early 1960s, Sid and Judy have generously supported the university and the Mount Pleasant community. In 1993, Sid received the honor of Mount Pleasant Citizen of the Year, and Judy followed receiving the same honor in 2007. In 2004, they were the CMU Homecoming Grand Marshalls.

Sid has a long history with CMU that traces back to growing up on Washington Street. His father, Woodward C. Smith, was a history professor at CMU and later became vice president of public services. Smith Hall is named in his honor. Sid’s brother, Thomas R. Smith, is a ’62 graduate of CMU. Judy’s sister is Gail French Torreano ’72 MA ’76 former CMU Board of Trustee.

Sid is the current president/CEO of Smith Equities and is an emeritus member of both the CMU Development Board and Board of Trustees. He served as the former Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He has served on the National Campaign Committee, the CBA Campaign Committee, and the Dean’s Business Advising Council. In 1992 Sid received the Centennial Award and in 2007 received the CBA Distinguished Alumni Award. CMU honored Sid with a Doctorate Degree in Commercial Science, in 2007. Currently, he is serving as Co-Chairman of the College of Medicine Campaign Committee and Chairman of the National Charter School Institute.

Judy is a founding member and Chairwoman of the Women’s Initiative in 2003, an organization providing funds for women and girls in Isabella County. Currently, Judy serves as a Trustee for Art Reach of Mid Michigan and Co-Chairwoman for the Art-Reach Capital Campaign. In addition, Judy was a former volunteer Red Cross of Isabella County and Central Michigan Community Hospital. Judy served on the Michigan Women’s Commission for ten years. Judy’s volunteer work for CMU involves being a member of the CMU Fall Into Jazz Steering Committee and a founding member of Opus, the School of Music fund-raiser. During the 2004 CMU Capital campaign kick-off, Judy assisted in the creation of the Celebration Book.

Sid and Judy were Honorary Education Building Steering Committee Members and lead donors for the Education and Human Services Building on campus. The building’s French Auditorium was named to honor Judy’s late father Edwin French and Judy.

Sid and Judy have established the W. Sidney and Judith French Smith Medical Scholarship. Furthermore, they have generously supported the university with a lifetime contribution of over $1.8 million.