UVa-Wise releases “Papa Joe” Smiddy documentary

Chancellor Emeritus Joseph C. Smiddy reflects on his colorful life and the history of The University of Virginia’s College at Wise in a 4-disc DVD documentary released this week.

“Joseph C. ‘Papa Joe’ Smiddy: The Man, His Life and His Legacy at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise” is an entertaining and informative DVD collection that also features the College’s first chancellor picking toe-tapping banjo tunes, including his signature song “Butter Beans,” in two live concerts with the Reedy Creek Band and friends.

Smiddy, a Virginia legend, has touched the lives of thousands through decades of work for the College and the community it has served since its founding in 1954 as Clinch Valley College.

The idea to create the documentary occurred about two years ago when Chancellor David J. Prior noticed a captivated audience gathering around Smiddy as he played the dulcimer and told stories about the College’s fledgling days.

“It was so compelling,” Prior said. “This storytelling and this music must be preserved.”

Smiddy agreed to work with College staff on the two-year project, and the finished work preserves Smiddy’s timeless tales for future generations. UVa-Wise history professor Brian Wills, who is Smiddy’s son-in-law, interviews Smiddy in the documentary.

“Papa Joe’s voice and presence in the film speaks volumes about the College’s early mission to fulfill Thomas Jefferson’s dream to provide educational opportunities throughout Virginia – and far Southwest Virginia, in our case,” Prior said. “This special College was not an afterthought. It really fits what Mr. Jefferson and the University are all about.”

Chancellor Emeritus Joseph C. "Papa Joe" Smiddy autographs a copy of the College's documentary featuring his stories and music.

Smiddy and his family were treated to a surprise viewing of the DVD collection on Father’s Day during a dinner at the Lila Vicars Smith House on campus.

“Thank you for just giving me the opportunity to be on the most joyful ride that anyone could have,” Smiddy said after viewing portions of the documentary.

Smiddy’s stories in the DVD collection span the early years of the College where he taught biology after leaving a successful career with Shell Oil, but only after meeting the muster of noted U.Va. biology professor Ladley Husted in a rigorous question-and-answer session that occurred on Smiddy’s front porch. Smiddy was later thrust – reluctantly on his part – into the role of director and later chancellor of the University of Virginia’s only branch college.

The documentary offers glimpses of how growing up in Jellico, Tenn., with an entrepreneurial father who valued education and music and a supportive mother with a just-be-careful attitude toward her curious and adventurous son shaped Smiddy and his outlook on life.

In the documentary, Smiddy says college was never in his plans.

“I really didn’t have the money,” he says.

A visit to Lincoln Memorial University one Saturday morning with former high school principal Logan Garrett sparked the idea in Smiddy’s mind that a college education was attainable, even for a poor mountain boy in the midst of the Depression.

He paid tuition by working all summer on the LMU farm, prying up large limestone rocks and swinging heavy shovels of gravel after the stones were crushed.

On the DVD, Smiddy says much of his work, including an occasional unconventional way of tackling college admission and registration, was designed to give others the same opportunities to obtain a college degree that he had. He admitted the College’s first African American student when it was illegal under Virginia’s segregation laws.

“God has given me the opportunity to do for so many students what Logan Garrett did for me,” Smiddy said at the DVD screening. “Look at all those people who came to the College with no money, and we helped them go to school.”

While at LMU, Smiddy continued his lifelong love of music by playing in a dance band.

“I wanted to be a professional musician in a big band,” Smiddy says.

His career plans changed when he noticed that musicians he considered more talented were not eating regularly. He decided to teach school instead.

His love for music got an unexpected boost when he answered his nation’s call during World War II. The U.S. Army sent Smiddy to music school, but he wanted to do more for his country. He eventually served in the Pacific Theater.

“All during the war, I never ever thought that I should be anywhere else,” he says. “I was supposed to be in the Army.”

After the war, Smiddy finished his education at LMU with the help of the GI Bill.

“My job was to learn,” Smiddy says. “The government was paying me to learn.”

When he took the post of biology professor for CVC’s first year, Smiddy found himself teaching a large percentage of Korean War veterans who were also determined to learn with the help of the GI Bill.

He recalls the College had major impacts on Southwest Virginia during its early years as well as today. The College offered academic freedom for its professors and students, Smiddy says in the documentary.

“Here was an institution that no one could shut up,” Smiddy says.

The Smiddy documentary is a production of UVa-Wise Highland Cavalier New Media. Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer J. Keith Fowlkes produced and directed the documentary.

“I believe the most important aspect of this documentary is hearing how one committed person with a passion for the education of people can make such a difference in this world,” Fowlkes said. “Papa Joe embodies the very essence of Thomas Jefferson’s dream for the education of all people.”

The four-disc set features:

• An oral history of Papa Joe’s early life and the founding of the College
• Memories of Clinch Valley College and friends who helped the College grow
• A discussion between Papa Joe, U.Va. President John T. Casteen III and UVa-Wise Chancellor David J. Prior
• Live concerts featuring the music of Papa Joe and friends

The DVD collection is available at the UVa-Wise Bookstore for $25. A $5 shipping and handling fee will be charged for off-campus orders. Proceeds will benefit UVa-Wise students.

For more information, contact College Relations at 276-328-0130. For purchasing information, visit the UVa-Wise Bookstore, located in the C. Bascom Slemp Student Center, or call 276-328-0210.

Posted June 17, 2008