Redheaded Jill

Part 2: My favorite professor.

I have a really great Dad, and I’ve had really great Grandpas and my brothers are also great. In short, I have a lot of great men in my life who have given me high standards. A pattern of behavior I have noticed is when I go somewhere, be it to work or to learn, I look for a male role model, someone I can respect. Kind of but not quite a father figure.

I did this in undergrad, I did this while working at the bank, and I did this in my year of law school.

My favorite professor during law school was named F. Lagard Smith. He had an illustrious career, was humble and kind, creative, involved in the church. (I guess I should say IS because as far as I know he’s still alive and well.) Professor Smith re-organized the Bible in chronological order just for kicks. He wore bow ties and lived in England 6 months out of the year in a little cottage with his wife where he wrote books.

I ended up going to services where Professor Smith did a lot of the time because it was a small congregation that reminded me of home and he always made me feel so included and welcome. After a friend of mine asked him some spiritual questions he organized an entire Sunday service to be focused on what she had asked. Not just the sermon, but all the hymns and the Bible class.

On my first day of class I was kneeling at my locker rearranging my book bag when Professor Smith walked by. I had yet to meet him. He looked at me and said, “I don’t care if you get on your knees and beg, I can’t marry you!” In a rare moment of quick thinking I replied, “But I wouldn’t even have to change my last name! Just think about it!” Professor Smith went on to write me a letter of recommendation for an internship I wanted. He would always answer my questions and encourage me even though I was not a successful student.

After I dropped out of school I kept in touch with Professor Smith. He would respond to my emails, though we both left the school at the same time and never treated me like a failure. I will forever remember him as the highlight of my 1L experience.