The W campus community mourns Dr. Barry Smith
The Department of Communication and campus community at Mississippi University for Women mourn the passing of Dr. Barry P. Smith, who served as chair of the Department of Communication for 12 years. He passed away Friday, Sept. 18 at the age of 50.
Smith joined The W in 2006. As chair, he successfully led the department and championed a diversified communication program that prepares students in multiple facets of mass communication.
He pioneered the documentary studies concentration, which allows students to study documentary filmmaking through the years, as well as take research classes through the Department of History, Political Science and Geography, ultimately planning and producing their own full-length documentary on the subject of their choosing.
Smith was a devoted educator, beloved by students. He guided generations of students and inspired countless undergraduates. Colleagues remember him for his extensive knowledge, quick wit and unwavering mentorship.
Smith made numerous research presentations before the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication (AEJMC), International Communication Association (ICA), National Communication Association (NCA), Mississippi Communication Association (MCA), Broadcast Education Association (BEA), Southern States Communication Association (SSCA), Southwest Education Council for Journalism & Mass Communication (SWECJMC), American Academy of Advertising (AAA) and Society for Psychophysiological Research (SPR).
He also served as an elected officer in SSCA.
Dr. Brian Anderson, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, described the lasting impact of the University’s loss. “Barry was an ever-engaged instructor, always curious, always excited to motivate students to absorb the deep content knowledge of the discipline and to demonstrate their command of media skills. His dedication to MUW’s mission extended to his years of service on PIE Council, the Campus Technology Advisory Board, and other entities, and of course his leadership of the Department of Communication. Through his many responsibilities, I never saw him flustered or overwhelmed—he was a colleague with a rock-solid center who will be greatly missed.”
Dr. Kim Whitehead, interim provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs, said of Dr. Smith, “During his 20-year tenure at The W, Barry Smith was a beloved teacher and mentor not just of communication majors but also of honors seniors and many other students across campus. As a long-time department chair, he was also a highly valued colleague of fellow chairs, faculty, administrators and a trusted and respected presence across the university community.”
Interim President Dr. Scott Tollison, said, “His absence will be greatly felt, but the relationships he built and the difference he made in the lives of colleagues and an untold number of students leave a lasting legacy at The W. He will be deeply missed by all those who had the great fortune to know him.”
A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbus.
Smith is survived by his wife of 24 years, Dr. Melissa Smith, director of the Kossen Center for Teaching and Learning at The W and Gibbons Chair of Journalism; his son, Matthew, a freshman at The W; his mother, Jean Shelnutt; his father, Jon Errol Smith (Tina); and his brother, Chris Smith.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Sanctuary Hospice in Tupelo at sanctuaryhospicehouse.com.