Some professors leave an impact that lasts far beyond the classroom. At SNU, Professor Jim Smith is one of those people.
As a freshman, I have only had Professor Smith for a short time, but he has already become one of my favorite professors I’ve ever had. His classes are full of creative freedom, encouragement and challenges that push students to grow. He is the kind of professor who genuinely believes in his students, even before they fully believe in themselves. He is always willing to help, and he has a huge heart for the people who often go overlooked.
After learning that Professor Smith will be retiring next year, I wanted to learn more about his story and the role SNU has played in shaping his life. What I found was that his connection to SNU runs deeper than most students could imagine.
“This academic year I’m completing my 35th year on the faculty,” Smith shared. “I also served two years on the SNU staff prior to that.”
However, his history with the university goes back even further. Smith explained that he began attending events at what was then Bethany Nazarene College while he was still in junior high and high school. Later, he attended BNC from 1979 to 1984 and earned both his undergraduate and master’s degrees.
“So altogether I guess it’s been 50 years,” he said.
When asked what originally drew him to SNU, Smith shared that he believed he was called into ministry and felt the university was the right fit. But during his time as a student, his direction began to shift.
“As a student here, I quickly learned that my passion was communication and teaching,” he said. Although he never intended to teach at SNU, an unexpected opportunity changed everything. “A former professor asked me to fill in for someone on leave and once I started working here I didn’t want to leave,” he explained. “God blessed me with the opportunity to join the faculty in 1991 and I’ve been here ever since.”
Smith also reflected on how deeply SNU shaped him personally. “As a student, SNU was very formative,” he said. “I gained a lot of confidence and I had incredible faculty mentors who helped me shape my passions.”
That same kind of confidence-building is something students still experience in his classroom today. Smith is known for pushing students creatively while still giving them room to explore their own voice and ideas.
When asked what his favorite class to teach has been, Smith pointed to Media Ethics. “I think my favorite class to teach is Media Ethics,” he said. “I enjoy it because it gives me the opportunity to teach students how important the news media is to maintaining a democratic society.” He also shared that it is a class where he sees significant growth in students over the course of the semester.
Smith explained that one of the most impactful changes during his time at SNU came when he transitioned into the Division of Communication and Cultural Studies. “This felt like a switch being flipped,” he said. “It was like a homecoming and I got to work with some of my favorite people.”
Of course, after decades on campus, he has no shortage of memorable moments. One story that still stands out to him happened when he was a student. “One of the most memorable chapel services was the day we walked in and saw one of the student’s Volkswagen Beetle sitting at the front next to the stage,” he said. The prank was talked about for weeks, and Smith jokingly added, “I’m not sure they ever figured out who did it and I’m not saying if I knew myself.”
As retirement approaches, Smith shared that he looks forward to “traveling with my wife and spending time with my daughter and daughter-in-law.” Still, he admits he will miss campus life. “I will definitely miss my students,” he said.
As he prepares to close this chapter, Smith shared one final thought: “SNU has been one of the most important parts of my life. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to spend my entire career here.”
Professor Smith has spent decades pouring into students, building confidence and shaping futures. Even as a freshman, it is easy to see that his impact will continue long after he retires.
Photo by: Abigail Crawford