By Maddie Jewett

Photo courtesy of Collegiate School.

I am lucky enough to call my grandfather one of my best friends and have learned countless intangible lessons from him. My grandfather Alex Smith (‘65) is a Collegiate legend. He paved the way for my family, as he was the first person on my mom’s side of the family to go to Collegiate. He came to Collegiate as a new student in August 1961 and graduated in 1965, and he eventually came back to work at the place that shaped him into who he has become today.

After graduating from Collegiate and heading to Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, he realized his time here couldn’t be done just after four years. He slowly worked his way through the ranks, starting as a young Middle School boys history teacher and coach, as he had experience playing football, basketball, soccer, tennis, and track and field during his Upper School years. 

His time in the classroom took a hiatus as he moved into the Development Office in 1974 to work on fundraising and planning what was to come for our school in years ahead. As much as there is a high volume of change at Collegiate over the years, Smith observed that sports are one thing that seem to stay the same. The community that is formed revolving around sports at Collegiate is unmatched. Smith says it’s all a part of the “Collegiate spirit.”

When asked about the “Collegiate spirit” Smith says, “As for spirit, back in my day we were the new small school out in the country. So we had a lot to prove, especially the Boys School. We had an ‘underdog’ school spirit!” Smith says, “I still think Collegiate has a great school spirit, because most of us are proud of our school and expect to make it better each year.” 

Smith playing football during his time at Collegiate. Photo courtesy of the Julia Williams Study and Archives Center.

It is hard to describe the exact feeling that is the Collegiate community. It is much more than just a school for learning textbook rules and playing sports. Smith says, “Collegiate is a special place where there is respect for each other. Simply put, it is ‘built in’ to our DNA as an expectation to do well and not waste one’s opportunities while at Collegiate.”

In 1987, Smith “was made VP of School Operations. I was responsible for all non-academic phases of Collegiate. Several years later, that title changed to VP of Development. I was Director of Development for many years before being named VP of Operations. I retired in September of 2016 but gave up the VP title my last two years, because I started working part time.” Smith’s experiences working in different aspects of the school allowed him to put himself into other people’s shoes and make deep connections. 

His responsibilities in the Development Office included forming relationships with people outside the Cougar community and working to raise funds so he could help to make advancements in the school. He worked for years to help raise money for the construction of Collegiate’s Robins Campus and the Sharp Academic Commons. He worked hard to make sure Collegiate stayed up to date and was ahead of trends, but that everything was still done “the Collegiate way.” 

When asked if there was anything that Collegiate has done differently since he retired, he said, “Not really. Collegiate has to change with the times, but I am glad they still have a dress code and Honor system.”  

A quote Smith often says is, “Don’t mess with happy.” This is a reminder that if something is “happy,” or seems to be going well, don’t change it. My grandfather describes his time at Collegiate as some of the best years of his life. “Collegiate did a lot to help me grow up to be a successful adult. My teachers were so special,” something I think is still true today. Smith says that it is not one person that makes this place so special; “it is all the people. For the most part, students and faculty care for each other.” He added that Interim Head of School “Billy Peebles has helped revive the Collegiate spirit.” Smith and Pebbles are close friends, and even though their times at Collegiate did not crossover, they still exchange ideas and enjoy sharing stories and ideas to better the community. 

Smith concluded that “It is a wonderful place and a privilege to attend such a special school.”