Smiths Continue to Meet Students' Needs with Scholarship

The Smiths previously donated the funding to build the Larry and Kathryn Smith Chapel in collaboration with Larry Smith's parents, the late Floyd and Juanita Smith, whose gift built the Floyd and Juanita Smith Carillon and corresponding bell tower. The Smith Chapel and Carillon offer Penn State Behrend students a multi-faith worship space and opportunities for spiritual growth and enrichment—a need first identified by the college's student body in the mid-1980s.

With their most recent gift, Larry and Kathryn Smith join the list of local business owners who have created scholarships in the past year at Penn State Behrend. Specifically, this is the third trustee scholarship created in 2011 to support area students.

"We take pride in our college's ability to help academically talented students regardless of their families' financial situations," Dr. Don Birx, Penn State Behrend chancellor, said. "Donors realize that higher education can help break the cycle of poverty in families and communities. In particular, scholarship funding often is critical to those who are the first in their families to attend college. We thank Larry, Kathie and their family for extending this gift to the Erie community."

The Trustee Matching Scholarship program is part of an effort by Penn State to secure private support University-wide for undergraduate scholarships. This scholarship program has a unique matching component to maximize these efforts; the University matches 5 percent of the gift amount annually, in perpetuity, effectively doubling the financial impact of the scholarship. Trustee scholarships are awarded to academically talented students who demonstrate strong financial need.

"It was important to us that this be a family decision, so we involved our children in the conversation about this scholarship," said Larry Smith, CEO and owner of Automation Devices, Inc., in Fairview. "We have always believed in giving back and instilled that spirit in our children as well. Our family has been blessed over the years, and we hope this scholarship will help promising students receive the financial support they need."

With the addition of the Larry V. and Kathryn A. Smith Family Trustee Scholarship, Penn State Behrend has a total of 35 trustee scholarships. During For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students, Penn State Behrend's goal is to raise $32 million to support its students and has secured more than $26 million to date. The college's scholarship goal is $8.5 million; more than $6 million has been raised for scholarships since this campaign began in January 2007.

The Larry and Kathryn Smith Chapel and the Floyd and Juanita Smith Carillon were built in 2000 and dedicated in the summer of 2002. The chapel's worship space seats 175 and includes a 1,208-pipe organ, purchased to honor Larry and Kathryn Smith's children. The carillon is 80 feet tall and holds 48 bells, which can be played electronically or manually. Located at the base of the tower is the Dedication Chapel, which offers a place for silent prayer and meditation.

Larry and Kathryn Smith have two children and four grandchildren. The couple's son, Kevin, and his wife, Julie, were the first to be married in the Smith Chapel. They have two sons, Calvin and Evan. The Smiths' daughter, Colleen May, and husband, John, have a son, Casey, and a daughter, Kristine.