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SPRINGFIELD — Etched into the wooden floor in the lobby of Wittenberg University's historic Recitation Hall is the motto, "Having Light We Pass It On To Others."

There was no more fitting place to award the first two Pam Evans Smith '82 Memorial Scholarships on a beautiful spring day on the campus Monday, May 5.

Smith, the Tigers' legendary women's basketball coach who passed away last June after a gallant 17-year battle with cancer, was a perfect example of the motto in action. Her husband, Roger, wanted a way to keep her light shining brightly and pass it on.

Hence the scholarship fund in her name. Monday, the first two winners of the Pam Evans Smith Scholarship were announced: West Liberty-Salem graduate Rachel Dixon and Whitney Marshall.

Roger Smith was on hand to give Dixon her $25,000 scholarship. Marshall, a field hockey standout, was out of state because of her studies.

"There has been an outstanding response," said Roger of getting sponsors for the scholarship, which will be given in multiples of $25,000 annually to a female student who is a junior and will be entering her senior year. "I thought the response would be great, but it has happened faster than I even thought it would.

"By July of last year, in about two months, we had the first $25,000. Now we're close to $75,000 for three scholarships next year, and I'd like to have $100,000 by this time next year."

Dixon, who was recruited by Smith and worked alongside her in Smith's office, was overwhelmed.

"It's a really big honor, especially since it is in her name," said Dixon. "It means so much to me. And we found a white dry-erase board that she used when she coached and they gave that to me. It was so special, especially since I want to be a coach someday."

It was a nice end to a trying two year-period for Dixon, who tore her ACL twice and has had three surgeries in two years. But she never let it get her down — she was a student assistant on this winter's team while rehabbing.

"Her genuine passion is what has rubbed off on me most," Dixon said. "I just try to smile, even if I'm having a bad day."

It was a special day for Roger Smith, as well.

"One thing Pam would have liked to do is help as many students as possible," he said. "This, and renaming the arena, from here on out will keep Pam's memory alive. She'll be a part of the university as long as the university is here."

Contact this reporter at (937)

328-0364 or krowe@coxohio.com.

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