Rodney K. Smith

Rodney K. Smith
6th President of Southern Virginia University
In office June 2004 – June 2011
Personal details
Born	(1951-05-10)May 10, 1951
Died	(2020-07-26)July 26, 2020
Alma mater	Western Colorado University (B.A.) J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D.) University of Pennsylvania Law School (LL.M., S.J.D.)
Profession	Academic administrator, law professor
Academic work
Institutions	Utah Valley University, Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Southern Virginia University, Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Capital University Law School, Alexander Blewett III School of Law, William H. Bowen School of Law

Rodney K. Smith (10 May 1951 – 26 July 2020) was an American academic. He was the Director of the Center for Constitutional Studies at Utah Valley University (2016-2017) after serving as a Distinguished Professor of Practice and Director of the Sports Law and Business Program at Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law (2014-2016).^[1] Prior to that, he served as the 6th president of Southern Virginia University (SVU) (2004-2011),^[2] and as a dean of the schools of law at Capital University (1989-1994), University of Montana (1993-1995), and University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He also served as a Distinguished Professor of Law and Director of the Sports Law and Policy Center at Thomas Jefferson School of Law (2011-2014).^[3]

Biography[]

Smith is a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).^[4]

Smith received a law degree from Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark Law School, and an LL.M. and S.J.D from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.^[5]

Smith served as the dean of Capital University's Law School. During his time in Columbus he also served as bishop of an LDS ward.^[6]

Smith also served as a member of the board of trustees of the American Academy of Liberal Education.^[7]

Smith received honorary doctorates from Capital University (2002) and Southern Virginia University (2012).

Bibliography[]

• Public Prayer and the Constitution : A Case Study in Constitutional Interpretation
• Getting off on the Wrong Foot and Back On Again: A Reexamination of the History of the Framing of the Religion Clauses of the First Amendment and a Critique of the Reynolds and Everson Decisions
• Nonpreferentialism in Establishment Clause Analysis: A Response to Professor Laycock
• The Role of Religion in Progressive Constitutionalism
• Religion and the Press: Keeping First Amendment Values in Balance (with Patrick A. Shea)

Notes[]

References[]

• Church News, April 28, 2007^{[full citation needed]}