Reporter Volume 25, No.18 February 24, 1994

By LYNN NICHOLAS
Special to the Reporter

When a teacher can provide an educational experience which makes
students' career dreams come true, it adds another dimension to the
term "teaching excellence." Eileen Idzik, 22, graduated from UB in May
of 1993 and is a reporter for the Saratogian in Saratoga Springs. She
says, "If any student has a gift in writing, Lee Smith will bring it
out." 
	LeRoy Smith, better known as "Lee," former editorial writer
for The Buffalo News, is an instructor of journalism for the
Department of English. Since 1969, Smith has offered UB's only
journalism class. At age 74, Smith is celebrating his 25th anniversary
of teaching. 
	Recent graduates say that Smith shares more than his expertise
in journalism. Former students, who credit Smith with helping them
realize their potential, describe him as a "wonderful friend" who
provides much guidance. His teaching style, they say, presents
students with realistic guidelines for good journalism while they
undergo the process of self-discovery.
	Smith says, "What I try to teach students is how to write with
interest, curiosity and a sense of excitement. I help students answer
questions like: How do we write, gather news, and put it together in
an interesting way? But overall, my intent is to help students decide
whether journalism has a calling for them."
	A native of Washington, D.C., Smith decided to pursue
journalism after serving in World War II. Graduating Phi Beta Kappa
from City College of New York in 1940, he was accepted after the war
at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. In 1947, he graduated
as one of the top three students of the class, earning a "Pulitzer
Traveling" scholarship. "In prehistoric times," he jokes.
	After he finished at Columbia, Smith did some editorial
writing in Washington, D.C. This led to his first job as a reporter
for The Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, the largest afternoon paper in
the country at the time. In 1948, Smith left the Philadelphia paper to
become a reporter for The Buffalo Evening News . He became an
editorial writer in 1957, and later, deputy editor of the editorial
page for The News, and over the years, wrote editorials on a variety
of topics dealing with New York State.
	In 1985, when Smith retired from The Buffalo News, he became
an advisor for The Spectrum . The publication relies upon his
editorial advice and his expertise on technical matters. Linda Bogdan,
secretary for the Department of English describes the seemingly
inexhaustible energy Smith devotes to students: "In 1988, Lee
initiated writing workshops for students in order for them to gain
credit for the amount of writing they were doing. That year he started
with 51 students. This past spring semester, he worked with 112
students. And despite the many demands he has from students, he
remains patient, personable, and good humored."
	Eileen Idzik explains Smith's involvement with The Spectrum::
"He treats the student paper like it's a 'real' paper that people rely
on for information. When I was an editor at The Spectrum, he was
always there to help. I don't know if I would have pursued this field
if it weren't for him encouraging me."
	Mark Pollio, 21, who graduates from UB in May, recently
received news that he's been accepted in Syracuse University's
graduate school of journalism. He attributes his most recent
accomplishments to Smith. Pollio, who currently interns in the
Washington bureau of The Buffalo News, says, "I had no idea what I was
doing when I met Lee. What he did was give me an idea, and a goal, and
he showed me that I could really do it. He's made a lot of things I
never dreamed, possible. Just a few days ago, I chatted in the
elevator with Sen. Ted Kennedy and in January, I attended the 'State
of the Union Address' with Buffalo News Washington Correspondent Jerry
Zremski. Whatever I end up accomplishing, a lot of it will be because
of him."
	UB Graduate Ian Aronson, 23, is news and public affairs
producer at WBFO. Aronson says Smith was "incredibly influential" in
his career development and achievements. "Lee wasn't just a personal
friend who knew a lot. He was the person who showed me that I could do
what I'm doing now. When I was writing for The Spectrum, he showed me
exactly where I needed to improve. But he wouldn't just tell me the
answer, he'd help me find it on my own. I found him to be one of the
most valuable assets at UB, especially since there is no degree
journalism program available. What's great about Lee, is that he
thoroughly enjoys sharing his craft with young people. At WBFO, I try
to pass on to my interns what Lee has taught me."
	In 1969, Smith joined Millard Fillmore College when a friend
suggested he take over a literary analysis course in the English
Department. This led to his teaching his much-sought-after course in
journalism. William Fischer, chair of the English Department, says "He
teaches more students per capita than any other teacher in the English
Department. His courses are immensely popular." Linda Bogdan says,
"Every semester 25 to 30 students are turned away and English majors
often have to wait several semesters before they can take his class."
	Smith has a dedicated professional and community background.
He served several years as vice president of the Housing Opportunities
Made Equal committee, and headed a campaign to save and restore the
historic Allendale Theater. He has earned lifetime membership in the
National Conference of Editorial Writers (NCEW), for his work as
chairman of the committee on the reformation of journalism education.
At The Buffalo News , he earned 20 "Front Page Awards" from the
American Newspaper Guild and two awards from the American Freedoms
Foundation, for notable editorials and news stories.
	A man of many stories, Smith readily admits to one
downfallQgoing off on tangents. One can often hear his famous last
words, "Oh, the hang with that story. I digress too much." 
	Going back to his days at Columbia, he recalls "I was assigned
to do a story on any person or problem in New York on a particular
day, and it turned out that John Steinbeck was in town. I found out
where he livedQin an apartment below the sidewalk on East 73rd Street.
The woman answering the door was about to turn me away. But when
Steinbeck heard me, he wanted to talk to me because at that time he
was irritated that there was a bill in the state legislature to censor
books, and he was vigorously opposed. Steinbeck spelled out his
concerns about censorship and it was one great, solid hour I had with
him."
	Smith sees a need for improved performance by the press today.
Referring to Billy Inman, former presidential nominee for Secretary of
Defense, he said, "Looking at journalism in terms of its predominant
and powerful role in American society, I think Inman's step down
raised a great many questions that need attention. He made a lot of
accusations about the press, saying we're back to McCarthyism. I think
the press needs to take a serious look at its performance. 
	"One thing we should look at is how we really write our
stories," he says. "A major problem in the newspaper industry is the
decline in readership. More feature and human interest writing is what
we seem to need, instead of so many hard news lines on people in the
news."
	Smith's goal is to continue teaching and helping young people
he finds promising, for as long as he is able. And he has communicated
to top SUNY officials, the need for an affordable graduate program in
journalism in the state system. The ideal program, Smith says, would
be an undergraduate focus on liberal arts, with a graduate focus on
news gathering and the overall technical and ethical aspects of
newspapers.