Rodney K. Smith (10 May 1951 – 26 July 2020) was an American academic and the 6th president of

Southern Virginia University Southern Virginia University (SVU) is a private liberal arts college in Buena Vista, Virginia. The college, though not officially affiliated with a particular faith, embraces the values of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Ch ...

(SVU) (2004-2011). After retiring from SVU, he served as a Distinguished Professor of Law and director of the Sports Law and Policy Center at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law (2011-2014), a Distinguished Professor of Practice and director of the Sports Law and Business Program at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law (2014-2016), and as the David and Laurea Stirling Professor of Constitutional Studies and director of the Center for Constitutional Studies at

Utah Valley University Utah Valley University (UVU) is a public university in Orem, Utah. UVU offers master's, bachelor's, associate degrees, and certificates. Previously called Utah Valley State College, the school attained university status in July 2008. History ...

(2016-2020).

Biography

Smith was a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and a lifelong academic. He was an undergraduate student at UC-Irvine, Georgetown University, and the

Western State College of Colorado Western Colorado University (Western) is a public university in Gunnison, Colorado. It enrolls approximately 2,600 undergraduate and 400 graduate students, with 25 percent coming from out of state. Western offers more than 100 undergraduate areas ...

(B.A., 1973), and a graduate student at the University of Virginia, Brigham Young University (J.D., 1977), and the University of Pennsylvania (LL.M. and S.J.D). Smith served as the dean of law schools at

Capital University Capital University (Capital, Cap, or CU) is a private university in Bexley, Ohio. Capital was founded as the Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio in 1830, and later was associated with that synod's successor, the Ame ...

(1989-1994), during which time he also served as bishop of an LDS Church ward, the University of Montana (1993-1995), the

University of Arkansas at Little Rock The University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock) is a public research university in Little Rock, Arkansas. Established as Little Rock Junior College by the Little Rock School District in 1927, the institution became a private four-year ...

, and the University of Memphis (2003-2004). Smith also served as a member of the board of trustees of the American Academy of Liberal Education. Smith received honorary doctorates from Capital University (2002) and SVU (2012).

Bibliography

*''Public Prayer and the Constitution : A Case Study in Constitutional Interpretation'' *''Getting off on the Wrong Foot and Back On Again: A Reexamination of the History of the Framing of the Religion Clauses of the First Amendment and a Critique of the Reynolds and Everson Decisions'' *''Nonpreferentialism in Establishment Clause Analysis: A Response to Professor Laycock'' *''The Role of Religion in Progressive Constitutionalism'' *''Religion and the Press: Keeping First Amendment Values in Balance'' (with Patrick A. Shea)

Notes

References

* ''Church News'', April 28, 2007 {{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Rodney K. American leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints American lawyers J. Reuben Clark Law School alumni Capital University Law School faculty Converts to Mormonism Living people Southern Virginia University faculty Heads of universities and colleges in the United States University of Arkansas at Little Rock faculty University of Memphis faculty University of Montana faculty University of North Dakota faculty University of San Diego faculty Widener University faculty Deans of law schools in the United States Latter Day Saints from Virginia Latter Day Saints from Tennessee Latter Day Saints from Arkansas Latter Day Saints from Montana Latter Day Saints from Pennsylvania Latter Day Saints from North Dakota Latter Day Saints from California Latter Day Saints from Ohio Latter Day Saints from Utah 1951 births