Rodney K. Smith is an American academic. He was appointed President of Southern Virginia University (SVU) on June 1, 2004. Before coming to SVU, he served as interim dean and Herff Chair of Excellence in Law at The University of Memphis. He also has taught or served as dean at The University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Capital University, University of Montana, University of San Diego, Widener University and The University of North Dakota. Smith is currently a professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law.
Smith is a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).[1]
Rodney Smith received a law degree from Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark Law School, and an LL.M. and S.J.D from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
Smith served as the dean of Capital University's Law School. During his time in Columbus he also served as a bishop of an LDS ward in that city.[2]
His publications include:
Public prayer and the Constitution : a case study in constitutional interpretation
Getting off on the wrong foot and back on again : a reexamination of the history of the framing of the religion clauses of the First Amendment and a critique of the Reynolds and Everson decisions
Nonpreferentialism in Establishment Clause analysis : a response to Professor Laycock
The role of religion in progressive constitutionalism
Religion and the press : keeping First Amendment values in balance / Rodney K. Smith, Patrick A. Shea
| Academic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Monte S. Nyman |
President of Southern Virginia University 2004 — present |
Succeeded by incumbent |