"Dr." Edith Renfrow Smith
"Dr." Renfrow Smith with Dean Mike Latham and President Raynard Kington.
On May 20, 2019, Mrs. Renfrow Smith received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from her alma mater. With great pride, she walked unassisted to the podium and was radiant when the faculty and graduates spontaneously gave her a standing ovation. Watch her remarks to fellow Grinnellians here.
Dr. Renfrow Smith addresses the 2019 graduates of Grinnell College.
For Mrs. Edith Renfrow Smith, being a lifelong Grinnellian means that she pursues activities that promote her own growth and make a positive contribution to others. She describes her life philosophy this way:
“Each day, 'I say, ‘Where am I going today? What do I want to cook today? What book am I going to find?’ See, I always have something I’d like to do…. See, we, each of us has a responsibility. We have a responsibility. If I can do something today to make you change and feel better about you and about that person, then I have had a good day. If I can’t help you, then I have spent a rotten day.”