Profs Clark, Smith honored

Considering his accomplishments, there is little doubt Craig Smith could teach anywhere he chose.

He chooses Cal State Long Beach.

"The CSU," he said, "is where we do thingsÖ the University of California is a place where they think about things."

Smith, a professor of comparative literature, is a man who likes to get things done.

As does Patricia J. Clark, who also chose CSULB.

These two professors have been named recipients of this past academic year's Outstanding Professor Award, the university's highest faculty honor.

Clark, an art professor, returned to the classroom following a four-year stint at USC's Idyllwild School of Music and Arts and an ensuing appointment to the CSU chancellor's office as the associate director of special programs.

"After 10 years of being an administrator, I desperately wanted to get back to teaching again," Clark said. "When I worked at the chancellor's office, I had the chance to visit every campus, and I chose Long Beach as the one I would most like to work at because of its attention to professionalism and scholarship."

Clark's honors extend beyond the university. In 1995, the city of Long Beach gave her its Art Educator of the Year Award.

Smith, too, has had an impact felt well beyond the university community.

He has been a speechwriter for President Ford and is a longtime First Amendment advocate.

Since coming to CSULB in 1988, Smith has chaired three academic departments and has served on numerous committes. He has written 50 articles and 12 books.

"When I'm dealing with students, I'm dealing with the real world," he said. "It's important to be more pragmatic than to be philosophical."