Tampa Republic

The City of Tampa will hold a ceremony to rename a portion of N. Albany Avenue in honor of the late Dr. Walter L. Smith, a Tampa native and former president of Florida A&M University (FAMU).

The event, hosted by Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera, will take place on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at 905 N. Albany Ave in Tampa.

Dr. Smith, born in Tampa on May 13, 1935, rose from humble beginnings to become a prominent leader in education. After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he earned degrees from FAMU and a doctorate from Florida State University. His career included key roles at Hillsborough Community College, the U.S. Office of Education, and a presidency at Roxbury Community College in Boston.

As FAMU’s seventh president from 1977 to 1985, Dr. Smith oversaw significant advancements, including the expansion of academic programs, the construction of the Bragg Memorial Stadium and the Women’s Athletic Complex, and the growth of student services. Locally, his impact extended to founding the Dr. Walter L. Smith Library in Tampa in 2002, dedicated to furthering education in his childhood community.

The street renaming ceremony will bring together city officials, community members, and Dr. Smith's family to celebrate his contributions to education and his lasting legacy in Tampa and beyond.

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