Smith donates Lincoln collection to history department

Brent Smith ’76, a former minister and professor at Grand Valley State University, gifted a small library of books about Abraham Lincoln to the History Department this fall.

Smith presented Hanover history professors Dan Murphy ’81 and Matt Vosmeier with more than 50 books. Among the works was “Our Martyr President, Abraham Lincoln. Voices from the Pulpit of New York and Brooklyn.” The book, published in 1865, is a compilation of more than 20 Easter Sunday sermons delivered just two days after Lincoln was shot at Ford’s Theatre.

Smith, who served as an associate professor of integrative, religious and intercultural studies, taught at Grand Valley State from 2010-24. He had previously served as a minister for 27 years. As a student at Hanover, he majored in English and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) fraternity. He also played four seasons with the College’s football team, earning all-Hoosier-Buckeye Collegiate Conference honors as a junior.

Pictured above are (l-r): Dan Murphy ’81, Brent Smith ’76, Matt Vosmeier and Sarah McNair Vosmeier