Austin, Texas — Huston-Tillotson University has received a $1,350,000 planned gift from the estate of educators and alumni Theodore C. “Ted” Smith and Octavia L. Smith, which will be used to endow a teacher initiative, a music professorship, and support other university priorities.
The gift will establish the Theodore C. and Octavia L. Smith Endowment to support the African American Male Teachers’ Initiative and the Theodore C. and Octavia L. Smith music endowed professorship, while also providing unrestricted funds to support university priorities, according Linda Y. Jackson, vice president for institutional advancement.
“This gift is clear in its purpose,” said Jackson. “It strengthens teacher preparation, supports music, and provides resources the university can use where they are most needed.”
“The endowment supporting the African American Male Teachers’ Initiative will expand efforts to increase the number of Black male educators entering the profession’ while the endowed music professorship will provide long-term faculty support in the arts,” she added.
Octavia Smith, a 1950 mathematics graduate, served for many years as an educator and later as an education program director with the Texas Education Agency, while Theodore Smith, a 1948 mathematics graduate, built a career in education as a teacher and later served as chair of the mathematics department and assistant headmaster at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Austin. She remained engaged with the university through volunteer service supporting library and administrative efforts, and was awarded the Crystal Ram Award. She died in 2025 at the age of 99.
Theodore Smith, a 1948 mathematics graduate, built a career in education as a teacher and later served as chair of the mathematics department and assistant headmaster at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in Austin. He died in 1992.
About Huston-Tillotson University
Huston-Tillotson University, the first institution of higher education in Austin, Texas, has roots dating back to 1875. HT is an independent, church-related, historically black, four-year liberal arts institution located on a 23-acre tree-lined campus near downtown in East Austin. Huston-Tillotson University’s mission remains committed to its legacy of educating a mosaic community of learners while cultivating innovative leaders who are dedicated to academic excellence and service. The University offers associate and master’s degrees in addition to Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in more than 19 areas of study. Huston-Tillotson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate and master’s degrees. HT is also an NC-SARA school. For more information, please visit www.htu.edu.
