Former Board Chair of King’s College Tom Smith Receives Spirit of Holy Cross Award

The Congregation of Holy Cross, United States Province of Priests and Brothers, announced that its Spirit of Holy Cross Awards honorees for the 2024-2025 academic year include Thomas R Smith, ’77, who served on the King’s College Board of Directors for 30 years and 15 years as chair.

The awards are given annually to lay collaborators who faithfully serve the Province in the United States and abroad. The Spirit of Holy Cross Award acknowledges the critical role lay collaborators play in living out the vision and mission of Holy Cross founder Blessed Basil Moreau— to make God known, loved, and served through education, parish, and mission settings.

Smith’s love for King’s and for Holy Cross has its foundation in his student days at King’s where he was active in student government, service, and campus ministry, and excelled academically.
Tom’s outstanding career at Campbell’s, serving as vice-president for finance, strategic initiatives and corporate audit, and later as an executive consultant for Matte Inc. was marked by attention to detail and to building personal relationships.

Throughout his career, Smith remained extremely close to King’s and to the Holy Cross religious with whom he established life-long friendships. His service on the King’s Board extended beyond the board room. He attended Open Houses, sporting events, lectures, award ceremonies, and commencements. Tom brought perspective students to King’s, served as a mentor to many, and hired numerous graduates at Campbell’s. He has profoundly shaped the aspirations and careers of countless Monarchs, leaving a legacy of excellence and ambition. He was a recipient of the Rev. James Lackenmeir, C.S.C. Award for Achievement and Leadership, and the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from King’s College.

In his commencement remarks, he always noted the mission and charism of the Congregation of Holy Cross underscoring Fr. Connerton’s famous distillation of it: “King’s teaches its students not only how to make a living but how to live.” His exceptional professional skills enabled him to make a living. His virtuous character, marked by integrity, compassion service, fidelity, and Catholic faith, teaches us all how to live.

The Spirit of Holy Cross Award honorees are recognized in their local communities by the Holy Cross ministry for which they work as part of the Congregation’s celebration of Blessed Basil Moreau's life. At that time, they receive a proclamation of gratitude signed by the local superior that nominated them.