Claibourne D. Smith, Ph.D.

Claibourne D. Smith, Ph.D.

Upon the Aug. 31, 2008 resignation of then-DSU President Allen L. Sessoms, Dr. Smith was appointed by the board to serve as the acting president of the University until a new permanent president was hired. On January 14, 2010, Dr. Harry Williams became the president of DSU, and Dr. Smith resumed his duties as chairman.

Committees
Executive Committee
Committee on Trustees (Board Development & Governance)
Finance and Facilities Committee, chair
 

First appointed during the 1987-88 academic year (to finish the term of Arthur Richardson), Dr. Smith has served as chairman of the board since 1993, succeeding Dr. William Dix as then-president.

Dr. Smith retired in Dec. 31, 1998 as DuPont vice president of technology and vice chairman of Corporation Education Aid after 34 years with the corporation. He is a chemist by profession. Dr. Smith also previously served on the Delaware State Board of Education, the State Commission of Higher Education, as president of the Delaware Science and Math Education Foundation, as well as on numerous other boards and committees.

Dr. Smith has B.S. and M.S. degrees in chemistry from the University of Denver (1959 and 1961 respectively), and received a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Oregon in 1964. He resides in Centerville, DE with his wife, Roseann.