Centenary Trustee, Philanthropist Dies at 93

Centenary College lost a leader and trustee emeritus recently, as Harris F. Smith passed away on Jan. 26.

Smith came to Centenary in 1979 on behalf of a family friend and college alumna, and quickly became very fond of the school, according to a message on centenarycollege.edu.

Harris Smith found out his connection to the school went far beyond his knowledge in 1985, when he realized his great-grandfather, Cornelius Walsh, was one of the school’s founders.

Smith served as Chairman of the College’s Board of Trustees from 1982 to 2006, the statement said, when he was named Trustee Emeritus.

Along with his wife, Betts, Smith gave in excess of more than $1,000,000 to the college during his lifetime.

Smith was 93 years old, according to nj.com.