A farewell to Smith
Darcee Kubisiak
Issue date: 2/26/10 Section: Student Life
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At the conclusion of last semester, Milligan administration announced Smith's resignation from her current position as Assistant Professor of Developmental Studies and Director of Student Success and Disability Services.
"My last day at work here at Milligan will be May 31st. I will take the month of June to pack my things, and in July, I will move to Louisville."
According to Smith, she decided to resign because of a desire to pursue personal goals. Smith plans to move to Louisville, KY, where she may be with family and assist them in their business.
Upon her departure, Smith plans to spend her time relaxing and deciding whether she wants to continue pursuing a career in higher education. While Smith also intends to reconnect with her immediate family, she is also in pursuit of another dream.
"Within a year or so, I would like to adopt," Smith said.
After reflecting upon her time at Milligan as a whole, Smith concluded that her most favorite memories reside, for the most part, in the classroom.
"I love many aspects of my job," Smith said. "I have loved working with my developmental education classes, and I have really enjoyed teaching freshman Humanities. Working at Milligan has been a very rich experience. It has been great working with my caring colleagues; however the best thing about being at Milligan is the students. They are wonderful."
Smith also noted how her experience at Milligan as an undergraduate very much contrasts with her experience as an employee.
"When I was at Milligan as a student, I was completely wound up in academics, and had little involvement with certain group of students," said Smith. "It is nice to be an employee where I interact with all different types of students."
Smith attended Milligan as an undergraduate student from 1994-1998 in pursuit of a History degree. Shortly thereafter, she attended graduate school at Duke University, where she received her Masters in Theological Studies.
In 2002, Smith returned to Milligan as an employee, initially filling the position of assistant registrar. She then became the director of student success, and shortly thereafter, became involved with career services. More recently, Smith has become involved with developmental education and disability services.
Though Smith will remain a Milligan employee until semester's end, she offered a few departing words of wisdom to the student body.
"My hope is that the people that go through Milligan have life changing experiences like I did," Smith said. "Being at Milligan has kept me young."
While Smith has successfully fulfilled the requirements of her "official position" at Milligan, her abundant contributions to the institution go far beyond the parameters set by of a mere job description.
Student, faculty and staff respond to Smith's resignation
Beth Anderson, director of ISL
Traci has been such a blessing to me as a co-worker because she knows Milligan's environment and how best to serve our students. She's going to be missed because of her commitment to our students and faculty. I couldn't have asked for a better person to work with.
Rachel Landry, member of FCA
Tracy is a true example of gentleness, kindness and Christ-like love. I have been blessed to watch her interact with such an aray of different kinds of people, personalities and ages with such true interest and genuine love.
Nathan Flora, campus minister
Traci brought to Milligan a high degree of professionalism, fresh insight and diligence to her work that is matched by few. She also was able to apply these attributes in a powerfully unique way that only those who are alums have the opportunity to do. Most of all though, Traci gave us all her love and the thorough attention that comes as a result of her sincere love for others. Whether you encountered Traci as a colleague or student, it was clear that she served you because she loved you and was willing to go to great lengths on behalf of others because of this.
Brittany Chambers, member of FCA
I consider myself lucky to have had Traci as a professor. It was obvious that she genuinly cared about each student she came in contact with. I, along with the rest of the campus, will miss seeing her smiling, encouraging face next year and in years to come.
Dr. Craig Farmer, professor
Traci was one of my students during my early years at Milligan. Over time, she became a dear friend to me and my family. She is a remarkably talented colleague at Milligan who has served students and colleagues with an extraordinary spirit of compassion and humility. I feel especially blessed to know her as a friend and a sister in Christ. She may be leaving the area, but she will not be able to remove herself from the special place she will always have in our family.
Dr. Lee Magness, professor
The multiple contributions that Traci Smith has made as a teacher and mentor to the students and as a colleague to the faculty came as no surprise to me. She began making a wonderful and thoughtful contribution to life at Milligan even as a student. I'll be excited to hear what contribution she makes for the kingdom in years to come.
Nathaniel Moultrie, director of diversity services
Traci Smith's impact to Milligan has been a profound demonstration of diligence, service and commitment. Her dedication to the faculty, staff and students clearly exemplifies the mission of Milligan in action. She will be greatly missed across every aspect of the college.
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