Ricky Smith, and his family, share a lengthy background with Pensacola State College and a rich history of service to the community.
Ricky’s relationship with PSC begins with that of his first cousin, Theresa Gail May, who graduated from Jay High School in 1966 before attending Pensacola Junior College (PJC) to pursue an associate degree. Following her graduation from PJC, “Gail May” continued to the University of West Florida (UWF) to acquire a bachelor’s degree in education. She taught in the Santa Rosa County school district, with most of her time spent at Milton High School where she led social studies, government, and history classes. Theresa Gail May received her doctorate shortly before passing away from cancer in 1986 at just 38 years old. Prior to her death, she committed her assets and obtained the promise of her parents to commit theirs toward a scholarship foundation.
Theresa’s parents both passed away in 1996, after which Ricky was appointed as one of four trustees to the Theresa Gail May Scholarship Foundation to help oversee its management and ensure that Gail May’s “dream became a reality.”
In 1998, the Theresa Gail May Scholarship Foundation established a scholarship at PSC in honor of Dr. May. In recognition of Dr. May’s career as an educator in Santa Rosa County, the scholarship supports Santa Rosa County high school graduates with generous $4,000 scholarships at PSC. This scholarship often covers the full cost of tuition and fees for its recipients, which has a profound impact on those students and their families. Gail May’s scholarship has touched the lives of numerous PSC students with over $710,688 in scholarship awards since 2005. Not only does the Theresa Gail May Scholarship Foundation invest in PSC students, but it also provides scholarships at the University of West Florida, sponsors Santa Rosa County teachers in their pursuit of graduate and doctoral degrees, and supports various programs in Santa Rosa County K-12 schools.
“I have enjoyed being a part of the scholarship foundation now for more than 25 years,” Ricky says. “It has been very gratifying to see deserving Santa Rosa County students receive help and the opportunity to start a college education that they might not otherwise have gotten the chance to.”
Ricky graduated from Jay High School in 1973, just a few short years after Gail May, before continuing that same year onto PJC. He graduated with an associate degree in business administration the following year, in 1974. Both his wife and son are alumni of Pensacola State College as well, with his son playing baseball for the Pirates before his graduation in 2020.
“Our family has been very blessed, and volunteering for functions with PSC has given me the opportunity to give back to the community and support the College and its Foundation in providing opportunities for students in the next generation,” he shares.
In addition to his service as a trustee for the Theresa Gail May Scholarship Foundation, Ricky’s family business, Smith Tractor Company, has been a sponsor of the PSC Foundation’s annual Day of Clays fundraiser for the past few years with Ricky joining the event planning committee this year.
“Serving on that committee with some great and generous community leaders has been very enjoyable and gratifying. They give their time, energy, and money toward helping [PSC] and its students. I have been humbled by my association with such a great group.”