By Cari Griggs, Senior Staff Writer
Zoe Miles, English senior, reads the late Dr. Elaine Smokewood's poem, "Housewarming," during President Henry's Installation Ceremony on April 6 in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center. The event was dedicated to Smokewood. Photo: Marianne Pickens/ The Campus
The president’s installation ceremony honored a deceased member of the campus community.
First lady Jan Henry was presented with an anthology of collected poems by Dr. Elaine Smokewood, English professor, who died Jan. 11.
Shortly after her death, President Robert Henry approached students and faculty about compiling the anthology and dedicating it to the teaching profession in memory of Smokewood. Henry wrote the foreword for the publication, said Zoe Miles, English senior.
“I helped pick out poems, as well as Abigail Keegan, one of her close friends,” she said.
Dorothy Tennery, executive assistant to the provost, said she served as the editor of the compilation.
“It started out as an anthology of Elaine Smokewood’s poems,” she said.
As the book developed, they decided to include letters and poems from students, her essay entitled “Teaching in Silence,” and email correspondence with Henry from the time they met until she died.
Marsha Keller, associate professor of English, submitted Smokewood’s students’ letters and poems to Tennery.
Some additional copies of the text were available at the installation ceremony. Copies will be available for purchase and all proceeds will go to the Elaine Smokewood Scholarship Fund.
Tennery said she became involved with the project because of her relationship with Smokewood.
“She was an inspiration,” she said. “I worked with her in the provost’s office when she was faculty fellow for a year.
“I also took class from her, not too long after she received her diagnosis, so I have always known that she is a special person.”
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