The late Howard Dwight Smith, an architect and educator, has been named as the Upper Arlington Historical Society and City of Upper Arlington's 2009 inductee for the Wall of Honor.  

Smith's architectural work made a significant impact on the physical environment of Central Ohio. His design of Ohio Stadium (built 1918-1920), won him an American Institute of Architects Gold Medal in 1921. As OSU’s University Architect from 1929-1956, Smith designed more than 30 buildings, including Ramseyer Hall, Mack Hall, St. John Arena, the OSU Golf Clubhouse, and the Main Library stack tower and additions.

Smith also taught architecture at OSU (his alma mater) from 1918-1921, and 1929-1956, receiving the Distinguished Service Award in 1955.
 
An Upper Arlington resident for almost 40 years, Smith served as Consulting Architect to the Upper Arlington Board of Education from 1920-1955, winning the Ohio Society of Architects Gold Medal for the design of Barrington Elementary School in 1941.

He also designed the first Upper Arlington High School (1920-1936), which now serves as Jones Middle School. In private practice, he designed many residences in Upper Arlington.

Smith was also a Chief Architect for the Columbus Board of Education, where he designed approximately 20 new school buildings for Columbus. He served as chief designer for Columbus City Hall and the Central Police Station. And, as consulting architect, he assisted with the design for First Community Church and First Congregational Church

Smith also volunteered in many roles for First Community Church, serving on both the Upper Arlington Board of Building Standards and the City Planning Commission, as a member of the Columbus Rotary Club, and serving on the American Institute of Architects, Columbus Chapter.

A plaque posthumously commemorating the contributions of Howard Dwight Smith (1886-1958) will be dedicated during a May 17 ceremony, marking his inclusion in the Upper Arlington Wall of Honor. The public is invited to the ceremony, to be held at the Upper Arlington Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Rd.

Smith will join the esteemed ranks of former Ohio Governor James A. Rhodes, King G. Thompson and Benjamin S. Thompson who founded Upper Arlington, OSU football coach Wayne Woodrow (Woody) Hayes, C. William O’Neill who is the only person to have held the highest office in all three branches of Ohio government, OSU basketball coach Fred Taylor and Dr. Arthur G. James who founded the OSU Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Research Institute.

To be considered for the Wall of Honor, a person must meet three criteria: He or she must be deceased; must have lived in Upper Arlington for part of their lives; and must have made a significant contribution to the city, the state and/or the nation.

Honorees are recognized via permanent bronze plaques on the “Wall of Honor” located on the plaza in front of the Municipal Services Center. 

For more information about the Wall of Honor ceremony, call the UA Historical Society at 614-470-2610 or visit www.ua-ohio.net.