College names Tubby Smith a lifetime ambassador for education

In honor of Tubby Smith's service to the Teacher Who Made a Difference program, the University of Kentucky College of Education named UK's Head Basketball Coach a Lifetime Ambassador for Education. The honor was presented to Coach Smith on Saturday, September 8th at Commonwealth Stadium before the UK football game against Ball State.

Since 1998, Coach Smith has volunteered his service as spokesperson for the Teacher Who Made a Difference (TWMAD) program. The program, sponsored annually by the UK College of Education, provides an opportunity for people to recognize a teacher that made a difference in their lives. The program was, in fact, inspired by a presentation Coach Smith made to a group of elementary school students in 1998. During that presentation, Smith talked about the teachers in his life that have inspired and influenced him.

Because of Coach Smith's involvement in the promotion of the program, TWMAD has become a successful part of UK homecoming weekend. Since 1998, over 300 teachers and professors have been honored.

Smith’s honor came at the same time as the College of Education inducted five new members into its Alumni Hall of Fame. Dermontti Dawson, former UK Wildcat football player and alumnus of the UK College of Education, escorted Coach Smith onto the field. Dawson, who recently completed his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is the current spokesperson for the Teacher Who Made a Difference program.

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