Marietta Magazine: Spring 2021

Longtime Physical Plant Director Retires

Fred Smith can talk about what it takes to plan and construct a massive residence hall, science center, athletics complex, library and planetarium. He can talk about fully renovating a building that was constructed in 1850 or the process of adding solar panels atop an athletic building. But if you ask about his own personal accomplishments during his 20-year tenure as the Director of Marietta College Physical Plant, his response has very little to do with him.

“I’ve been blessed and supported by a really strong team,” says Smith, who retired on March 15th. “I’ve been so pleased with our Building Services crew for keeping us safe during COVID-19. Paul [Miller] and his team have done an excellent job installing plastic barriers in classrooms and offices to add COVID-19 protection and have managed HVAC to maintain a high volume of air exchange in our buildings. And, of course, our Grounds team continues to improve the quality of our outdoor living spaces. I also have to give a special mention to Melissa (Tornes), Jason (Mader) and Cindy (Nutter) for what they have done to make sure we’ve maintained a good PPE supply, and to our Building Coordinators, who are our eyes on the ground.”

Smith, a professional engineer, took on the directorship role in 2001, midway through the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center construction project, which was completed in 2003. It was the start of a building boom on campus that included the Rickey Science Center, Legacy Library, Anderson Hancock Planetarium, Harrison Hall, Lindamood-Van Voorhis Boathouse and Don Drumm Stadium, as well as the major renovations of Irvine, Erwin, Fayerweather and Andrews halls, the Chuck McCoy Athletic Facility and the Don and Sue Schaly Field at Pioneer Park. In fact, every building and space on campus has received some level of renovation or upgrade — from installing elevators and adding new roofs to installing FieldTurf to athletic playing fields during Smith’s tenure.

“All the projects were fun because they were exactly what I enjoy doing,” Smith says. “The most challenging project would probably be Harrison Hall. It involved having deep foundation systems, adding bridging over a culvert over Goose Run and it was the most significant residence hall on campus. It also came with a tight construction deadline and involved the demolition of Parsons Hall.”

His retirement plans are to focus on enjoying his family, which includes his wife, three adult children and two grandchildren.

Building Services staff member Gill Keeley says Smith laid the groundwork for Physical Plant staff to excel in their roles, even during the pandemic.

“We all know what we’ve got to do, but he’s the captain of the ship,” Keeley says. “During this pandemic, he was always checking to see how everybody was doing, and made sure that we had masks and proper safety equipment. Fred really cares about his staff. … When one of us is ill or if we have lost a loved one, Fred himself will make a meal for the family. That’s quite compassionate, but that’s Fred.”