Biographical Text
Professor Emeritus of Psychology Wiley Francis Smith (September 26, 1897 - ), was born in Henderson County, Tennessee, to John H. Smith and Leona Woodward Smith. He received his high school education at Medina, Tennessee, in Gibson County. He received his A.B. degree from Union University in 1924; his M.A. degree from George Peabody College in 1928; and also his Ph.D. degree from Pea-body in 1931. He received a degree in law, L.L.B., from Blackstone School of Law in 1925. He completed his last semester of graduate work at the University of Chicago during the summer of 1930. Smith began his teaching as principal of the Buena Vista high school in 1921. He married Ressie Pickler of Buena Vista, Tennessee, on May 7,1922. The couple had two children: Reba (December 4, 1932 - ), and Raymond (September 15, 1942 - July 11, 1983). Reba majored in music and taught several years in Charlotte, North Carolina, and a few years at Parkway School in Boone. Raymond majored in aeronautical engineering at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Later, Raymond was chairman of the Division of Aviation with General Electric at Cincinnati, Ohio until his death in July, 1983. Reba has two children: Brad and Brenda. Raymond also had two children: Adam and Julie. Mrs. Smith had two majors, one in home economics and the other in primary education. In Boone she ran a kindergarten for three years; then she took charge of the cafeteria in the high school where she remained for Fifteen years. After retiring, she took charge of the Appalachian Ski Lodge cafeteria where she still works during the ski season. She is well known for her work in clubs and in art projects. Prior to coming to Appalachian Dr. Smith served in several institutions. From 1921-28 he was a teacher of science and mathematics and was principal for five years. He did his first college teaching at Will Mayfield College, Marble Hill, Missouri in 1929. He served as a resident assistant and as instructor in psychology at Peabody College, 1929-31. In 1931 he became adjunct professor of psychology at the University of South Carolina where he remained until 1933. In 1935-36 he taught at Asheville Teachers College. Finally, and most importantly for Appalachian, Dr. Smith came to Appalachian State Teachers College (now Appalachian State University) in 1936 where he remained until his retirement in August, 1964. Upon his retirement at Appalachian Dr. Smith went to Columbia College during 1964-65 and then served as consultant for Head Start for four years. While he was a student and instructor at Peabody College, Dr. Smith also taught part time at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. Although not an ordained minister, Dr. Smith also worked as a "supply" pastor to over fifty churches in the Boone area-especially to the Elk Park Baptist Church for three years; and, the Bethel Baptist Church for almost three years. Dr. Smith has read research papers at several state and national psychological meetings. His greatest honor was from a paper he read at the Ninth International Congress, Yale University, September, 1929. This paper was later published in the American Journal of Psychology. While at Appalachian Dr. Smith served as head of the psychology department as well as professor. Dr. Smith has been recognized in several notable works. He has been listed in: Who's Who in the South and Southeast; Who's Who in North Carolina; American Men of Science; Who's Who in Education; Leaders in Education; Psychological Register. Dr. Smith's dedication to Appalachian was great and literally thousands of students have profited from his instruction over the years. This 1987 edition of The Appalachian Faculty Emeriti book, in turn, is dedicated to Dr. Smith (please see the Dedication page). Sources: Who's Who in the South and Southeast, Appalachian State University files, and personal interviews. - Dr. Richard D. Howe
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