Sid, Judy Smith to reign in parade

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Sid and Judy Smith both graduated from CMU in 1965 and this weekend
they will reign over CMU’s Homecoming festivities as the honored grand
marshals.

After meeting at Higgins Lake at age 15 and getting married while at
CMU, the Smiths admit they’ve come a long way.

“We thought it was quite an honor to be chosen,” Judy Smith said.
“Sid and I were both honored and thrilled.”

Judy Smith recalls being involved in CMU’s Greek system during the
early 1960s. She was in social sorority Zeta Tau Alpha and Sid was a
member of social fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

Sid Smith has a long history at CMU that traces back to growing up
on Washington Street. His father, Woodward C. Smith, was a history
professor at CMU and later became vice president for public services.
Smith Hall is named in his honor.

Sid attended the College Elementary School on campus and spent his
childhood summers playing on Warriner Mall. He served on CMU’s Board of
Trustees from 1991 to 2001 and serves on the CMU Development Board.

Though he already has a lengthy list of accomplishments, including
being mayor of Mount Pleasant and the city’s 1993 citizen of the year,
Sid Smith said being Homecoming marshal is at the top.

“When your university honors you like this, it just goes to the top
of the list,” he said. “It’s one of the best honors that I’ve ever had.”

Judy Smith is a former English teacher and a former business owner.
Using her maiden name French, in 1980 she opened up a lingerie boutique
in downtown Mount Pleasant called “The French Collection,” which closed
in 1992.

She has been involved with the CMU School of Music’s Opus
fund-raiser and the university’s New Vision of Excellence campaign.

Coming to CMU as a freshman in 1961, Judy Smith said it was a
perfect fit stepping into a small college. Sid Smith spent his first
year at Ferris State University before transferring to CMU in 1962.

“I came up here and lived my adult life in this area,” Judy Smith
said. “I’ve been involved in the community over 30 years doing
volunteer work.”

The Smiths now have two grown children that live out of state — one
daughter in Florida and one son in Idaho.

“We live here and what more can I say,” Judy Smith said. “We’re CMU
fans.”

Following graduation they moved to Lansing before returning to Mount
Pleasant in 1968 where Sid Smith took over his father’s part-time
business. He now is the president and CEO of Smith Equities Corp.

A reception for the Smiths will take place after the football game
Saturday in the Kelly/Shorts Stadium Lounge.

The Smiths know they have a full weekend ahead of them, but
Saturday’s parade will be the highlight, Judy Smith said.

“We’ll probably see some people from our past,” she said. “Every
Homecoming there’s always people that show up.”

Judy also said she’s excited to watch the football game.

“Two games in a row, that’s pretty good,” she said. “We’re hoping
there will be lots of students there.”