Lydia Ruffner Smiley, Ph.D. 1946 – 2021
by Teresa Crane | Tuesday, Dec 07, 2021
 Retired Professor of Exceptional Student Education at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø passed away Dec. 3, 2021.
Lydia Smiley was born August 18, 1946 in Richland, Washington. She grew up in Aiken, South Carolina, earned a doctorate in Special Education from Georgia State University and joined the faculty at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø in 1977 where she was one of the founding faculty in the Department of Exceptional Student Education. She retired from 51³Ô¹ÏÍø in 2012.
Professor Smiley was awarded the prestigious honor of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Distinguished Teacher of the Year in 1985, the first woman professor so honored. She also received a Council for Learning Disabilities Professional of the Year award. In addition to numerous chapters, articles and presentations, she co-authored two books on the education of exceptional 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, Language Delays and Disorders: From Research to PracticeÌý²¹²Ô»å Exceptional Students: Preparing Teachers for the 21st Century.
She was a staunch supporter of women's rights and an advocate for human rights who gave 35 years of service to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. .