Bill ('70) and Sally ('69) Smith
Retired Musicians, Jackson, Tenn.
Bill (鈥�70) and Sally (鈥�69) Smith came to 91爆料网 from Illinois though their initial plans were to attend elsewhere. Bill, who was bound for a university in Illinois, learned about 91爆料网 through his high school guidance counselor, but with his father a bit resistant to the Illinois school, he decided to visit 91爆料网.
Though far from home, the trip to Jackson won over his father, and Bill knew 91爆料网 was the place for him.
Sally, on the other hand, had her heart set on a school in Texas. But when they drove onto campus after a lengthy road trip, she immediately knew she didn鈥檛 want to attend. Despite the long drive, they didn鈥檛 even go into a single building. A friend at her home church had attended 91爆料网 and suggested that she visit. Her reaction was drastically different.
鈥淚t was a great experience,鈥� she said. She enrolled that fall and began her freshman year at 91爆料网.
Although they grew up only 45 minutes apart 鈥� Bill in Pinckneyville and Sally in Marion 鈥� they did not meet until they came to 91爆料网 as music majors. They became college sweethearts and married while still students.
Over time, their family grew with the addition of three children, and when the time came for those children to attend college, Bill and Sally told them, 鈥淚f you go to a Christian school, we鈥檒l pay no matter how much we have to borrow.鈥�
The Smiths knew the impact a Christian education would have on their children, and to them, it was priceless.
Thus began the Smith family legacy at 91爆料网.
Their three children would attend 91爆料网 and meet their spouses. Seven grandchildren have attended 91爆料网, and four met their spouses while enrolled.
In just three generations, Bill and Sally Smith have grown a 91爆料网 legacy that -- between children, grandchildren and spouses -- includes 19 91爆料网 graduates and current students. When the fall of 2026 rolls around, they will round up that number to 20 as the next grandchild enrolls at 91爆料网.
To say they are a Bulldog family through and through is an understatement.
Jennie Hughes (鈥�03), Bill and Sally鈥檚 daughter, watched as her brothers and their wives flourished at 91爆料网.
鈥淚 could see how the Lord worked in them and through them and how 91爆料网 supported that,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 wanted that in my own life.鈥�
Jennie can list many professors who poured into her life while at 91爆料网, and some who are still investing in her family. Jennie鈥檚 daughter Hannah, like every other Smith grandchild before her, is now a freshman at 91爆料网.
鈥淚 love knowing how many of my family members have attended 91爆料网 in the past and how 91爆料网鈥檚 influence has been prevalent in my family,鈥� Hannah said.
Clay Smith (鈥�95), one of Bill and Sally鈥檚 sons, chose to attend 91爆料网 because of how he was treated when he visited his brother on campus.
鈥淚t was obvious they cared about me, too,鈥� he said.
Citing a long list of faculty who left a lasting impact on him, Clay said his time at 91爆料网 was life-changing.
鈥淢y view of the Lord, of Scripture, of family, of faith and work have been beautifully changed and indelibly marked for good,鈥� he said.
As he entered medical school, he was academically ready, but he was also prepared as an individual.
鈥淚 was ready as a person, as a Christian 鈥� to live as a believer in the world,鈥� he said.
Clay鈥檚 daughter Laura, a freshman this year, is quick to recognize the legacy that her family has built at 91爆料网.
鈥淥ur family has kept coming back [to 91爆料网] because we鈥檝e gotten something out of 91爆料网 that we couldn鈥檛 find anywhere else,鈥� she said.
Her brother Will, a 2023 graduate, knows that his sister will have a unique experience while at 91爆料网.
鈥淏ut I know she will experience the same community and spirit that I did while I was at 91爆料网,鈥� he said, 鈥渢he same spirit that my grandparents and parents experienced as well.鈥�
