By Nathan Duff
Dr. Megan Smith has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious 2023-2024 Jack Woodward Award of Excellence.
Delta State University is proud to announce that Director of Student Financial Assistance Dr. Megan Smith has been selected by the Mississippi Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, Inc. (MASFAA) as the recipient of the prestigious 2023-2024 Jack Woodward Award of Excellence. This award recognizes outstanding contributions in service, leadership, and commitment to education, embodying the values and spirit of its namesake, Jack Woodward.
Smith said, “Jack Woodward was a servant leader in the financial aid field, so it is a tremendous honor to be recognized among some of the outstanding financial aid professionals in the state. MASFAA has provided so many opportunities for professional and personal growth for me. I am appreciative of this organization and the relationships I have gained through my involvement with it.”
Jack Woodward dedicated his life to the service of others, beginning his journey after graduating from Millsaps College in 1951 and completing his divinity studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas in 1954. His first assignment as Associate Pastor of First United Methodist Church in Corinth marked the beginning of a life devoted to helping others. Woodward’s career continued at Millsaps College, where he served as the Director of Religious Life and Director of Financial Aid. In 1967, he co-founded the Mississippi Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, Inc. (MASFAA), and in 1979, he co-created what is now the Woodward Hines Education Foundation. Throughout his career, Jack remained dedicated to ensuring that students had access to higher education, embodying his belief that “We will find a way.”
Smith’s contributions to Delta State and her cooperative and professional behavior exemplify the commitment and service that the Jack Woodward Award of Excellence honors. Her work has been characterized by her tireless dedication to improving educational opportunities and outcomes for students. Her efforts have significantly enhanced the university’s mission to provide a high-quality education to all students, regardless of their financial circumstances.