Former U of A Education Professor, Superintendent Dies at 78

Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services

Roland Smith

Roland Smith of Rogers, who was on the University of Arkansas educational leadership faculty from August 1999 through July 2002, died Feb. 10 in Bentonville, according to his obituary.

While a faculty member in the U of A College of Education and Health Professions, Smith won the 2002 award for teaching from the Department of Educational Leadership, Counseling and Foundations. He made presentations in Japan, South Africa, Greece and Wales.

Smith left the U of A to become founding dean of the School of Education at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith, retiring in December 2005.

"Roland Smith was an amazing colleague who brought a wealth of knowledge, experience and ethics to our students in the educational administration program of study," said Carleton Holt, an associate professor of educational leadership who worked with Smith. "During his tenure, he was involved in the reorganization of our program of study, successful NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education) accreditation and the development of new standards for our licensure program for principals and superintendents. I will always remember his devotion to helping our students successfully master the challenges of building and district leadership, He was truly a warrior for education."

Smith was born Jan. 29, 1938, in Chicago Heights, Illinois, to Robert Elmer and Mary Elizabeth Sanders Smith, according to obituary information from Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services in Rogers. He graduated from the Conservatory of Music at Wheaton College in Illinois and then earned a master's degree from the University of Illinois and a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Northern Colorado.

He moved to Arkansas after 15 years as superintendent of Plainfield, Illinois, schools, and he served as superintendent of Rogers Public Schools from 1993 through 1999. After his time at the U of A and UAFS, Smith was appointed by the Arkansas education commissioner as superintendent in Greenland. He held that position from 2008 to 2010, and he also served as interim superintendent in Pea Ridge.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Bernice Annette De Vries Smith of Rogers, a retired schoolteacher; two sons, David Smith and wife, Heidi, of Bentonville, Daniel Smith and wife, Demra, of Fayetteville; two daughters, Debra Smith of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, Denise Smith of Rogers; five grandchildren, Nora, Hope, Gabriel, Janel and Eliana Smith; and many colleagues and friends.

Funeral services were Feb. 15 at the BiLD Training Center at Fellowship Bible Church with Pastor John Barclay officiating. Memorials may be made in memory of Dr. Roland Smith to Wheaton College, 501 College Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187; the missionary funds of Fellowship Bible Church, 1051 W. Pleasant Grove Road, Rogers, AR 72758; or Rehoboth Christian School, P.O. Box 41, Rehoboth, NM 87322.

The full obituary is available at the Stockdale-Moody funeral home website.