MC Communication Department Honors Pete Smith
MC Communication Department Chairman Cliff Fortenberry and Mississippi Department of Education Communications Director Pete Smith
The recipient of the MC Communication Department's 2009 Alumnus of the Year Award, Smith has landed dream jobs in his field, including service as press secretary to Gov. Haley Barbour.
Back at his alma mater to speak Friday, the former head of MC's sports information office told students they will still find career opportunities after they graduate. But they will need to work much harder during this recession, he said.
"It's very competitive," Smith told a packed room of students and professors at the Baptist Healthplex. "Everybody is cutting back."
The former Oxford high school football player urged students to be patient. He recalled getting turned down a number of times on job interviews, but never gave up. These days, college students and new graduates on campuses across America are finding it difficult to find good jobs, especially in the communications world.
"You can't let it discourage you," said the 1994 MC graduate. "If it is something you are interested in doing, pursue it."
After working for MC athletic teams as the university's sports information director for a few years, another opportunity came knocking for the young Mississippian. He served as press secretary from 1999 to 2004 to then state Auditor Phil Bryant, now Mississippi's lieutenant governor. Like Smith, Bryant is an MC graduate.
On a video tribute to Smith, Bryant said he hated to lose him, but encouraged him to join the governor's staff as press secretary when Barbour expressed interest. "He (Smith) was doing a fantastic job," Bryant said. "He's like a son to me."
Others making guest appearances on the media salute included MC Lady Choctaws Head Basketball Coach Paul Allen Duke, and retired MC administrator Doc Quick.
Smith, who supplied MC sports stories to media around Mississippi and other parts of the nation, "was a big asset for us," Duke said. "He's very good with people. He's a true Choctaw."
Quick said he's proud of Smith and delighted to tell people he knew the MC communication graduate when he just got started. "Pete, the road is open for you to do great things."
Smith did tremendous things as Governor Barbour's press secretary when armies of reporters came calling after Hurricane Katrina pounded the Mississippi Gulf Coast in August 2005, and followed up the region's rebuilding process.
Since December 2008, Smith has switched gears. He's the communications director for the Mississippi Department of Education in Jackson. "He's given me good advice," said John Jordan, the interim superintendent of education. "He's very good at clearly communicating issues to the Department of Education."
Smith, who often works behind the scenes for some of Mississippi's key leaders, was in the spotlight himself this time as he voiced his appreciation for his latest award. Department of Communication Chairman Cliff Fortenberry, MC President Lee Royce, Vice President for Academic Affairs Ron Howard and other leaders looked on.
"I'm truly honored," Smith said. Fortenberry and all the other MC professors "pushed us," he said. "The foundation here was great."
Seated next to President Royce for the program at the fitness and wellness center was Smith's wife, Rosiland, a marketing graduate of Jackson State University. The Smiths have a five-year-old girl, Chloe, and live in Madison.
In a question/answer session, Fortenberry asked his former student to discuss the most difficult circumstances he faced as a professional.
There was no hesitation from the speaker. It was the crisis posed by the deadly force of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Smith and others on the state's team logged long hours for months as they reinvented crisis communication plans. "All the plans were thrown out the window," he said.
Smith advised students they need to press ahead and stay focused in the midst of a crisis. "You can't let a crisis overcome you," the MC graduate said. "You have to step back and take a deep breath, face it and work through it," he said. "Each crisis is different."
One MC student asked Smith how he personally coped with family responsibility and a heavy workload in the middle of the worst days of Katrina and its aftermath. His grandparents helped a great deal during Katrina, especially with his young daughter, noted the award-winning communications professional. "Things fell into place."
Smith has stayed active in a number of community, civic, and professional organizations, including service as president of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi.
The Department of Communication graduate joined other MC alumni leaders at the 2009 Homecoming awards luncheon Saturday.
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