All in the Family: A Plymouth State Legacy

Plymouth State is practically embedded in Sue Smith’s DNA. It’s part of her family’s legacy, which began when her grandmother, Phyllis Shepard Smith, graduated from Plymouth Normal School in 1926. It is an understatement to say that the rest is history.

A 1981 graduate of the University of New Hampshire, Smith earned a master’s degree at Plymouth State while working on campus in the late 1980s—first in admissions and later as Director of Alumni Relations. All three of Smith’s children either attend or have graduated from PSU. Her daughters Nathalie Smith Palmer ’17 graduated in May and Mackenzie ‘22 is an Interdisciplinary Studies major, with a focus on marketing and health; and her son Baker ‘20 is a Fine Arts major. Mackenzie and Baker are commuter students, but “enjoy campus life as much as possible,” says Smith.

When Smith learned of PSU’s transformation to an Integrated Clusters model, she immediately recognized the possibilities for students, alumni, and the community. As a lifelong local resident and owner of Cottage Place on Squam Lake, Smith is active in civic and business organizations and passionate about ensuring the region’s economic vitality. She is excited about what PSU’s Integrated Clusters approach means for the community and for students like her children. She sees it as a win-win.

“Plymouth’s alumni ranks include successful businesspeople, many of whom live and work in this area,” says Smith. “Creating more opportunities to forge partnerships with these alumni and their businesses will be invaluable to students as they prepare for future careers, but also stands to benefit the region’s economy.”

Smith always looks forward to greeting PSU alumni and friends at Cottage Place on Squam Lake. Please visit www.cottageplaceonsquam.com for additional information.

■ Lisa Cramb

Tags:  alumni Class of 1981 integrated clusters squam lake Sue Smith university of new hampshire