Smith provides gift of health to Cornell College

Doug Smith ’73 has dedicated his life to improving people’s health as a medical doctor. And even though he’s retired, he’s continuing that mission by giving to the Cornell College Athletic and Wellness Facilities Project, part of the Greater > Than Campaign.

Doug has committed $150,000 to Cornell College’s new Richard and Norma Small Athletic and Wellness Center, the SAW, which opened on Aug. 9, 2022.

“I think it’s important for students to have an opportunity to stay physically active, which enhances learning and is an important life-long habit and life-long practice,” Doug said. 

Throughout his career as a doctor, Doug has had an internal medicine practice, spent time in private practice, taught for 10 years, and fulfilled a leadership role as the associate chief medical officer of Intermountain Healthcare–a hospital health services chain with 21 hospitals and 44,000 employees.

With that background, it’s understandable why Doug’s gift specifically supported the creation of the Smith Group Exercise Room on the lower level of the SAW. 

“Throughout my medical career and as a person who is getting older, the importance of an exercise habit is extremely important for both mental and physical health,” Doug said. “Not everybody wants to be on a team or compete but everybody should have the opportunity to exercise.”

Cornell College President Jonathan Brand says the college is thankful for this gift.

“Doug understands the importance of health and wellness, and his decision to participate in this project will support the well-being of our community for decades to come,” Brand said. “We appreciate everything the Smith family has done to continually move us forward in impressive ways over the years. What a difference they have made.” 

On the sign near the Smith Group Exercise Room, those who visit will see, “In loving memory of Virginia Soper Smith ’73 and Andrew Douglas Smith ’09.” 

Both Virginia, known as Ginger, and Andrew, one of the Smith’s two adopted sons, loved Cornell. Andrew was a theatre major and worked at a variety of theatres after graduation. Ginger was an English and religion major who eventually went on to law school. She also held a seat on the Cornell College Board of Trustees. Ginger’s side of the family, the Soper family, has a storied tradition of attending Cornell. In fact, hundreds–yes hundreds–of her relatives have graduated from Cornell. 

Doug and Ginger have long supported Cornell, and Doug says he hopes students know when they see “Smith Group Exercise Room” that there are people who are rooting for them.

“Somebody cares and is paying it forward,” Doug said.

Doug fondly remembers his student days at Cornell where he met Ginger and swam with the Cornell swim team. He, along with many of his former teammates, is looking forward to the day when a pool will be added to the facility. While it wasn’t included in this upgrade, the plans for the SAW did leave space for a future, potential pool addition.

Pool or no pool, he was happy to be part of this project. Giving, he says, is something he and Ginger always did. 

“We love Cornell and believe in its mission,” Doug said. “Cornell has always been a cause we believe in and donate to.”