An Extraordinary Career 

Educated at the University of California at Santa Barbara, the City University of New York, and Pennsylvania State University, Dr. Smith began teaching at San Diego State University, where also ran the intercollegiate debate program. 

In 1973, the University of Virginia stole him away by offering a promotion. 

In 1976, he became a full time speechwriter for President Ford, writing the president's most memorable bicentennial speeches. 

He then taught at the University of Alabama at Birmingham where he founded the Communication Studies Division. 

In 1979, it was back to Washington, D. C. as Director of Senate Services.

In 1980 he became campaign manager for Senator Bob Packwood's re-election in Oregon. 

In 1981, he became Deputy Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

In 1982, he became a full time speechwriter for Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca and wrote his appeals for funds to restore the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. 

In 1983, he founded the Freedom. of Expression Foundation which touted a board with the legacy network heads along with the publishers of the New York Times and the Washington Post.  

In 1988, he moved the Foundation to California State University and converted it to the Center for First Amendment Studies, which he ran until his retirement in 2015. 

Over the course of his career, he has written 26 books and over 75 scholarly articles and book chapters.  He has given lectures at 86 colleges and universities across the country.