Department: School of Business Administration
Office Location: AMB 324
Phone: 817-531-4843
tsmith@txwes.edu
About Dr. Smith
In his 48th year as a professor and 27th year at Texas Wesleyan, Dr. Smith clearly enjoys teaching. He is doing a phased retirement, teaching half-time now.
“I look forward to going to the classroom each day. I look forward to advising and getting to know new students.” Dr. Smith was the best man in three of his students’ weddings years ago. Both of his daughters were students of his at Wesleyan as Marketing majors.
“Most of my friends at this point are former students of mine. Through Facebook and LinkedIn, I’ve reconnected with some from forty-five years ago and I’m guessing that most of the earliest ones are retired now.”
“At Texas Wesleyan, I like the interaction with students, the closeness with faculty, and the small classes here. A lot of the things that the faculty like are the same things students like. The faculty members really have a passion for teaching or they wouldn’t be here. This is a very teaching-oriented school.
I’ve taught at big schools with 300 or more students in a class and students wander in and out the whole time and there’s very little discussions and no projects or homework. It might sound good (to students), but it’s not good education. The more students do (writing and creative thinking), the better off they are.”
Dr. Smith has taught one of his courses –Principles of Advertising — every semester, every year. Even with this constant, he is glad for change in his field. “Business, marketing, and advertising are always changing. It’s not like we’re studying Ancient Greece. There’s nothing happening in ancient Greece. There’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and dozens of other new social media avenues to consider; people watch video and listen to radio on mobile devices; there are TV ads at the gas station pump, and people spending much of their lives online. Supplementing the textbooks keeps us on our toes.”
Education
Ph.D. – University of Mississippi
M.B.A. – University of Mississippi
B.B.A. – University of Mississippi
Did You Know?
Dr. Smith has been a part-time professional magician and ventriloquist since he was a child. He has also played bass in rock groups for most of his life.
When he was in high school, he dreamed of doing voice work for cartoons. Also, Dr. Smith is an animal lover and currently has four dogs and two cats, all rescues.