R-MC Alumnus Awarded the Yellow Jacket Salute in Martinsville

Randolph-Macon College’s Society of Alumni honored Dr. John Randolph Smith ’52 with the Yellow Jacket Salute award during a reception at the Chatmoss Country Club in Martinsville, Virginia on Thursday, February 28, 2008.

Smith, fondly known as “John Ran,” is a member of the Randolph-Macon College Heritage Society and has been a member of the R-MC Presidents Society for many years. He has a rich family history at the college where five relatives also earned degrees including his father, Hubert Ziegler Smith ’15; his uncle, James Randolph Smith ’23; his cousin, James Randolph Smith Jr. ’67; his daughter, Jane Dodge ’83; and son-in-law, Kent Dodge ’83.

While a student at R-MC, Smith was a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity, as well as Chi Beta Phi and ODK. He also earned Phi Beta Kappa honors and played on the basketball team. After earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, he pursued his medical degree in internal medicine at the Medical College of Virginia.

Smith returned to his hometown of Martinsville after completing his residency at University of Virginia. He practiced internal medicine for 38 years and is a member of the Patrick Henry Medical Society and the American Medical Association.