Ann Smith: Living out a Legacy of Love
“Everything I am and what I have done is thanks be to God,” she emphasizes. “To see all I have seen in this long life I have lived, Anderson College is one of the places that provided the space for things to happen.”
Smith’s early life was marked by significant challenges. Growing up in a loving yet financially challenged home, she dropped out of high school at 16 to work in a steel mill after her father’s tragic drowning. Reflecting on those times, Smith recalls, “The good, bad, wonderful, horrible is the raw material for growth and celebration in life.”
Despite the hardships, Smith’s thirst for knowledge led her back to education. After overcoming surgery due to strain from her steel mill job and her grandfather’s passing, Smith’s mother encouraged her to attend college. Without hesitation, Smith packed her suitcase and found her way to Anderson College in 1948.
“Anderson College was more than just an education; it was a community of acceptance and support that forever changed my life,” Smith shares. “Dr. Carl Kardatzke believed in me and constantly fed into me through notes of encouragement.”
Smith’s path to becoming a missionary was deeply influenced by her personal history in the Church of God and hearing stories of China from her pastor’s wife. However, when the doors closed to China in 1949, Smith knew there was divine guidance to serve elsewhere.
While volunteering in a church in Anderson, she met her husband, Nathan, and together they embarked on a life of service.
“Following Jesus, marrying Nathan, and experiencing life in Japan are the three areas of my life that I wouldn’t not change even if I could,” she reflects.
After 26 years in Japan and a short term in South Korea, Smith was offered a position on staff at the missionary board. After five years on staff, she worked in church relations at Anderson before later serving on its board of trustees.
“One of my goals in life has been to soar as far as I can go but to bring other people along with me and then set them free to go beyond me,” Smith says. “It is not about me, it is about the impact and opportunities that God has given me to serve and learn.”
Turning 100 years old in January 2025, Smith embraces her role as a cheerleader by investing in people. Smith emphasizes the importance of investing in the future.
“It’s not just about asking why we should invest but also why not. Our investments reveal our values and shape our legacy.” She adds, “I long for young people today to have the same opportunities to experience this place that has the potential to change their lives.”
Reflecting on her journey, Smith’s eyes light up. “Anderson College exposed me to a broader world; it was Anderson who introduced me to people who had traveled the world. What a gift! An incredible gift.”
As she continues to live out her faith, Smith’s life remains a testament to the profound impact of God’s guidance and the opportunities to serve and learn.
Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.