Former MBC student receives Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award

By Jimmy LaRoue

Published: May 19, 2008

STAUNTON — Following in the footsteps of her husband, Mary Beth Smyth, who graduated from Mary Baldwin College in 1947, received the school’s Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award in recognition of her service, character and spiritual qualities.
“It was certainly something I never expected to receive,” Smyth said. “I was happy to receive it, and I’ll always think of it and enjoy it.”
Smyth, along with her husband, H. Gordon Smyth – a former MBC trustee who received the award in 1998 – established two lecture series that help bring to Mary Baldwin’s campus female leaders and businesswomen, including former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro, former Irish President Mary Robinson and the late Benazir Bhutto, the former prime minister of Pakistan.
The two also finance a yearly math and science scholarship for an MBC student.
Smyth, who earned an English degree, taught in Waynesboro and was recognized in 1951 as one of the top 20 teachers in the United States, also received a lifetime achievement award in 2002 from the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges.
The Smyths also have been involved in Nelson County, where the two once lived. Dozens of students there have benefited through partial four-year scholarships set up by the Smyths, who also sponsor study-related sabbaticals for Nelson County teachers and 10 $1,000 prizes for school system staff.
Fox, said she gained much from Mary Beth Smyth’s “subtle humor and wise counsel,” and that “for a few moments, Mary Beth Smyth will claim the spotlight, but her husband will be warmed by the glow.”

Other special award winners included:

* Tromila Wheat, of Knoxville, Tenn., who received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Student Award. She was also honored with the Martha Stackhouse Grafton Award, recognizing the senior with the highest cumulative grade point average.

* Regina Dunklebarger of Palmyra, who was recognized as the Adult Degree Program Outstanding Student

* Lisa Johnson Black, of Scottsville, who was named the Master of Arts in Teaching Student of the Year.

* Sarah Enloe, of Staunton, who received the Masters of Letters/Masters of Fine Arts Ariel Award.