Smith elevated construction education at Texas A&M, gathered industry partners

Jim Smith, who elevated construction education at Texas A&M by establishing partnerships with leading builders and providing award-winning classroom instruction as a professor and former head of the Department of Construction Science, died at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston Monday, April 20, with his wife Sondra and his family at his side.

Visitation is scheduled from 4-6 p.m. Friday, April 24 at Christ United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, [4201 State Highway 6 South] (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Christ+United+Methodist+Church/@30.570071,-96.26713,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x86468531b29ee80f:0xe815fb51cfb3d17) , in College Station. The funeral service is scheduled at the church 10 a.m. Saturday, April 25.

Smith arrived at Texas A&M in 1996, heading the [Department of Construction Science] (http://cosc.arch.tamu.edu) until September 2004 when he began to focus on teaching.

“Smith was an iconic figure in construction industry professional practice as well as in construction higher education,” said Bob Segner, professor of construction science. “All of us in construction education owe him a debt of gratitude for all he did. Our sadness at his leaving us too soon is tempered by the certain knowledge that his legacy of accomplishment will carry on in his absence.”

In 1996, Smith founded the [Construction Industry Advisory Council] (http://cosc.arch.tamu.edu/industry/membership/) , a group of leading builders who play a multifaceted, critical role in Texas A&M construction education by advising department administrators and faculty about contemporary construction developments, connecting with students looking for jobs or internships at departmental career fairs and providing financial support to the department.

“Since CIAC’s inception, builders have contributed more than $13 million to the department for student scholarships, professorships and the renovation of Francis Hall,” said Joe Horlen, head of the department. “Over the years, Smith’s creation has turned into the largest advisory group in the nation, with more than 160 member companies that are eager to hire our graduates,” he said.

Smith, who held the Harold L. Adams '61 Endowed Interdisciplinary Professorship in Construction Science, also established a strong legacy as a professor and mentor, said Leslie Feigenbaum, senior lecturer of construction science and assistant dean of academic affairs at Texas A&M’s College of Architecture.

“He challenged his students with complex and innovative assignments that left them well prepared for their professional careers,” he said. “He devoted the preparation time and performed the advanced planning necessary to integrate multiple disciplines into a single class while placing assignments into a professional practice context.”

His excellence in the classroom was recognized in 2012 with the Association of Former Students’ Distinguished Achievement award for teaching. In an award nomination letter, a student wrote that “Dr. Smith has shown complete dedication to the students in his class. It seems as if he is always in his office with students.”

Smith, said Feigenbaum, was a great man who treated everyone with sincere kindness and respect.

“He loved and lived the Texas A&M core values of integrity, loyalty, leadership, respect, selfless service and excellence,” he said.

Smith arrived at Texas A&M already having established a lengthy, distinguished career as a military builder, congressional staffer and project administrator.

As a member of the Army Corps of Engineers from 1962-75, Smith oversaw building projects supporting U. S. armed forces in Japan and Vietnam.

From 1975-85, Smith was a member of Mississippi Senator Senator John Stennis’ staff, helping to execute Defense Department construction projects that, in 1985, totaled $9.3 billion in more than 7000 projects at 1500 locations around the world.

He also managed Army research, development and procurement programs as well as intelligence programs for the Department of Defense and the CIA.

Between 1985 and his 1996 arrival at Texas A&M, Smith was an executive with CRSS Inc. and Brown & Root, Inc., overseeing the design and construction of transportation, water resource and Department of Defense projects throughout the world.

He earned a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering in 1976 at Texas A&M, a Master of Science in Civil Engineering at Texas A&M in 1970 and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at Johns Hopkins University in 1961.

Smith is survived by his wife Sondra, four children, Chuck, Scott, Randy and Jennifer, ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by four siblings, Richard, Bill, Craig, and Susan.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking people to consider a donation to the James C. Smith Endowed Scholarship in Construction Science. Please send to Texas A&M University, Department of Construction Science, ATTN: Shelley Smith, 3137 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843.  Checks should be made payable to Texas A&M Foundation and include Dr. James Smith Endowed Scholarship in the memo.