Retirement Celebration Planned for Charles Smith on Jan. 25.

@jennifer brown

Charles Smith has worked in numerous buildings on campus as the data center changed locations from the basement of Old Main to most recently the Administrative Support Building (ADSB).

After more than 50 years of service at the University of Arkansas, Charles R. Smith will retire on Friday, Jan. 25. A retirement celebration for Smith will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, in ADSB 240. 

Smith began working in data processing in August of 1968 after graduating from Oil Belt Vocational Technical School in El Dorado. Smith recalls the interview process was much simplier then.

"After graduation, my family recommended that I check with the university to see if they had any jobs," said Smith. "I went to talk to them, was offered a job and asked to start the next day. I've been here ever since." 

Smith still remembers his first computer, an IBM 1460. This data-processing unit was the size of a large desk but did not include a monitor. Over five decades, Smith has experienced a lot of change on campus and within technology including the rise of personal computers and the invention of the internet. 

"For the first part of my career, if I wanted to know how a device worked, I had to read the manual that came with the device. If it didn't have a manual, I had to go find it at the library or just figure it out," said Smith. "The internet has made my job much easier. Today, I can research problems from my computer."

As a systems analyst with IT Services, Smith says the highlight of his career has always been discovering new ways to make data processes run more effeciently. 

"Charles has done a great job as a member of our production control team. He has a great attitude and is always willing to go the extra mile to help in any way he can," said Randy Putt, associate chief information officer for IT Services. Adding, "Thank you, Charles, for 50 years of dedicated service! Much of that time has been in support of our campus administration and student information systems." Learn more about Smith's IT career in this newswire article.

Colleagues and acquaintances are invited to attend Smith's retirement celebration on Friday, Jan. 25. Refreshments will be provided.