Welcome to Our New Carillon Circle Chairs!
Gary A. Smith '80/ANR and Carol Mertes-Smith ‘74/BSBU
When asked why they give back to UD, Gary responded, “My mom, my brother Robert '81/EG and I made the decision we were going to remember my dad by setting up a scholarship and an award in the College of Ag. We always thought it was important to give back, and the university gave so much to our family. UDD put food on the table and a roof over our heads, it’s a way of remembering that.” The Raymond C. Smith Memorial Scholarship supports students already on campus.
“Scholarships for upperclassmen are hard to find, so they really appreciate this support and may not have made it without that,” Carol explained.
Through they continue to support the Smiths’ scholarship and other funds in CANR, the couple was introduced to different programs within the College and fell in love with the University of Delaware Botanic Gardens (UDBG), where they now fund a summer internship. Additionally, they have designated a bequest to create an additional scholarship and a support fund for UDBG.
“The interns visit our gardens every summer and it’s interesting to learn their backgrounds, they’re not always plant science majors. Some are students in Ag and the rest are from other programs across campus or were involved with UDBG through their high schools. They’re great kids, and it’s fun to meet the ones who receive the scholarship; to hear the impact on their lives. We’re doing this to change someone’s life for the positive. We hope they make a great mark on the world and make it a better place.”
“Obviously people have a lot of choices on how to do their estate plan,” Gary said. “UD provides a unique way of changing somebody’s life, someone who can make an incredibly positive impact on this planet. You’re not going to know who this is, it’s somebody out there who, for a lot of reasons, may not be able to afford to attend. Hopefully, the recipients of our scholarship will do the same thing and give back to help someone else.”
Read more about Carol’s and Gary’s UD story here.
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