When he started his teaching career in 1968, the price of a gallon of gas was 34 cents, the average price of rent was $130 a month and you could catch a flick for $1.50.
Times have changed quite a bit since then, but James W. “Bud” Smith has always been about business.
After all, it’s been part of his job description for the past four decades as a business law professor at Auburn University.
Earlier this week, that career wound down as Smith gave his final lecture to a class of students taking a summer course of his business law class.
“It’s been a fantastic journey and such a joy to be here all these years,” said Smith, a native of Colbert County, as he stood before his class.
On his final day, Smith, who resides on a farm in Notasulga, didn’t leave his students with advice on arbitration or liability rules.
He left them with advice about life and the golden rule.
“Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you,” Smith said. “Simply put, that means be nice to people.”
In parting, Smith also told his students to “choose to be happy” in their lives.
“It’s hard to explain what the Auburn experience really means unless you’ve actually spent time here and been around so many wonderful people and great students,” Smith said.
With all the extra time on his hands one might think it would be difficult fill that teaching void, but Smith already has things planned out.
“I’ll do a little traveling, some charity work and some activities with my church,” said Smith, whose personal sense of faith has grown even stronger after being deathly ill on two past occasions.
That he’s no longer teaching is something that Smith said probably won’t set in until later.
“I wonder how I’ll feel next week when I don’t come to work,” Smith said. “Dealing with students in the classroom is the fun part of the job that I’ll miss, but I’ll stay busy and productive.”
Smith’s colleagues from AU’s College of Business will hold a formal reception in honor of his retirement Aug. 22.
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