Doctoral student beats the oddsFormer high school dropout wins Centennial Award

Katherine K. Gardiner Arizona Daily Wildcat Physical chemistry doctoral student Dayle Smith and son 'JackieBear' (Jackson) get ready for nap time yesterday in her office. Smith, a high school dropout, returned to school because she didn't like where her life was going.

Although class didn't interest her as a teenager, Smith's family and friends always believed she would "drop back into school," she said.

They were right.

Smith got her GED and paid her way through college four years later. In December, the University of Arizona physical chemistry doctoral student won a $500 Centennial Achievement award, a scholarship geared toward minority students who are the first in their families to graduate from college.

Celia Sepulveda, program coordinator in the Dean of Students Office, said Smith, 27, is one of the strongest Centennial Achievement award winners she has seen in years.

"Her publication, research and recommendations were strong," Sepulveda said. "She exemplifies everything we want in a Centennial Award winner."

Smith is the first in her immediate family to receive a college degree.

"My family is just not that uptight about things," Smith said. "I was pretty mature for my age and it (high school) seemed so pointless at the time."

After four years of working at restaurants and clerical jobs, Smith enrolled in Evergreen State College in Washington, her home state.

"I could see where my life was headed and I wasn't happy," she said. "Next minute you're 40 (years old) and typing a 10-key somewhere. It happens to some people, it really does."

She attributes her success to self-motivation and emotional support from her husband and family.

Although college was intellectually stimulating, limited funds motivated her to finish.

"I was just so poor," she said. "It makes you want to finish the degree so you didn't live like a pauper for no reason."

Smith, who was not satisfied with just an bachelor of science degree, moved to Tucson in 1995 to begin her doctoral program.

As one of the few African American women in her field, she said she feels obligated to mentor women like herself.

Smith has won seven awards since 1995 and has had work published in six scientific journals.

Her husband, Jerry, is studying for his construction management master's degree at Arizona State University.

A healthy son, good marriage and her thesis are most important to her now, said Smith, as she cuddled her three-month-old son, Jackson.

When Smith graduates, she hopes to have "the coolest job possible," maybe in the pharmaceutical industry.

Smith is a conscientious student, said Ludwik Adamowicz, her thesis research adviser.

"She is capable of resolving complicated issues," he said. "She is independent, motivated and a good scientist. I am sure she will make a good career for herself."

Rachael Myer can be reached via e-mail at Rachael.Myer@wildcat.arizona.edu.