Clocking Off: Claire Smith Retires After Two Decades of Service to Trinity

After serving the University for 20 years, Claire Smith, the assistant secretary to Trinity’s Board of Trustees, has announced her retirement. In these two decades, Smith has served four presidents, two interim presidents, and eight Board chairs, garnering a deep understanding of Trinity’s Board of Trustees. Her daily interactions with Trustees, administration, faculty, staff, students, community leaders, and major Trinity supporters ensured synergy between the University, its Board, and our community at large. 

"We deeply appreciate Claire's more than two decades of dedication to Trinity University and its people,” says Ted Beneski, P’11, P’14, chair of the Board of Trustees. “I particularly want to recognize the great work she has accomplished in supporting our Board of Trustees in the charting of our University's future. She always went above and beyond, and her contributions to our team wins have been outstanding. Claire will be sorely missed and forever regarded as a key player in the growth and success of Trinity University."

This great work included the administrative assistance of a highly responsible, confidential, and sensitive nature for members of the Board of Trustees and the Office of the President at Trinity. In addition to organizing Trinity’s Board meetings and meeting materials three times a year, Smith provided trusted correspondence to Board members and Trinity community members alike, ensuring information flowed properly. She knew the rules, regulations, parliamentary procedures, and customs of Trinity’s Board and administration, working efficiently in support of the governance of the University.

“Claire’s dedication to Trinity has been unwavering, especially evident through her work with our Board of Trustees over two decades,” says Trinity President Vanessa B. Beasley, Ph.D. “I will always be indebted to her for the warm welcome and able assistance she offered me when I arrived on campus in July 2022, and I wish her the very best as she begins this next chapter.” 

Smith’s service to Trinity extended well beyond the Board and the Office of the President. She served as project sponsor for President Beasley’s inauguration events, co-chaired President Danny Anderson’s inauguration committee in 2014, and assisted the Board with searches for presidents and general counsels. Smith was a founding member and former president of the Trinity Staff Engagement Council (TSEC), and she also served on the United Way Committee and as president of the Trinity University Women’s Club. 

Smith also dedicated time to others in her profession. She serves as treasurer for the Board of Directors of the National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education, and she has helped organize their annual conference for more than a decade.

“I value so much the deep relationships I have created with so many members of the Trinity community,” Smith says. “I also have immense excitement at allowing myself the time and energy to really launch my retirement with all the adventures and opportunities for growth these precious years ahead present.”

Smith and her husband of 37 years have two grown children. Together, they enjoy international travel, sailing and kayaking, and getting out in the great American outdoors. Bon voyage, Claire!