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While the United States was on the abyss of war and many of the students who now sit in his classes were
about to be born, Wallace Smith published a book about the history of the San Joaquin Valley.
Nearly a quarter of a century later, his book, Garden of the Sun, has become the source book for the nation on
matters pertaining to the discovery, settling, and growth of the fertile, prosperous, and eventful San Joaquin Valley.
The author of Garden of the Sun, and a later volume, Prodigal Sons, dealing with Evans and Sontag, tells about
himself: "My birth occurred in the Bread and Butter state during the reign of William I, surnamed McKinley . . .
Kings River School, Tulare County, was my first alma mater. Since I was very young at the time I trust I'll be
pardoned for boasting that I was graduated second in my class. Since there were only two graduates in the little country
school that year I could not have done worse than finish second!"
He earned his degrees at the University of California, wrote his thesis forjiis doctorate on the San Joaquin Valley.
He has taught at Reedley Junior College, and since 1948 at Fresno State.
Samuel Johnson said a biographer can better tell a person's life by talking to his servant than reading his
chronology from pedigree to funeral. And so it is with Wallace Smith: One can best know the man by listening to
his lectures, talking to him on the run from class to class and reading his own works.
Wallace Smith doesn't look like a college professor. He looks more life a farmer or a salesman. He is tall; taller
than he appears from behind a lectern. His arm-spread would draw envy from a center on a basketball team. His
hands are the kind painters cherish; they have character. His face is lined with wisdom. When he tells an amusing
story his eyes glisten and the corners of his mouth turn up. His speech has something of the "old west" about it.
Wallace Smith's importance cannot be accurately measured in words. He has done for the San Joaquin Valley
through a history book what John Steinbeck has done for the Salinas Valley in his novels. While Garden of the Sun
is an academic and definitive work of history, it is also a readable and enjoyable story about people and events.
Wallace Smith's personable manner has transcended the pages of his books. Garden of the Sun is now in its fourth
edition and first printings of both the books are collectors' items.
Wally Smith — that's what everyone calls him, forgetting his academic titles of doctor and professor — is
one of those teachers who becomes something of an institution.
He is one of the professors whom students consider a "faculty celebrity." He is THE authority on the Valley.
He is colorful, interesting, a good story teller and popular. He has forged a link with the past by recording its
history. It may be his expression of the need to remember the past so the Valley denizens of today will leave
something for the future to look back on.
by J. C. Hickman
wtti
Mi*
SSff
is***.*;
r**t
*p£i
S3
m
am
SB
**S8
J*?
mm
| Yearbook Title | 1963 Campus |
| Date Published | 1963 |
| Organization | Issued by Associated Students of Fresno State Normal School, June 1912-1921; Associated Students of State Teachers and Junior College of Fresno, June 1921; Associated Students of Fresno State College, 1922-1971; Alumni Association of California State University, Fresno, 1976-1991. |
| Location | Fresno, CA |
| Rights | Published by Fresno State College, Fresno, California, 1963. |
| Yearbook Title | 1963 Campus |
| Date Published | 1963 |
| Organization | Issued by Associated Students of Fresno State Normal School, June 1912-1921; Associated Students of State Teachers and Junior College of Fresno, June 1921; Associated Students of Fresno State College, 1922-1971; Alumni Association of California State University, Fresno, 1976-1991. |
| Location | Fresno, CA |
| Transcript | While the United States was on the abyss of war and many of the students who now sit in his classes were about to be born, Wallace Smith published a book about the history of the San Joaquin Valley. Nearly a quarter of a century later, his book, Garden of the Sun, has become the source book for the nation on matters pertaining to the discovery, settling, and growth of the fertile, prosperous, and eventful San Joaquin Valley. The author of Garden of the Sun, and a later volume, Prodigal Sons, dealing with Evans and Sontag, tells about himself: "My birth occurred in the Bread and Butter state during the reign of William I, surnamed McKinley . . . Kings River School, Tulare County, was my first alma mater. Since I was very young at the time I trust I'll be pardoned for boasting that I was graduated second in my class. Since there were only two graduates in the little country school that year I could not have done worse than finish second!" He earned his degrees at the University of California, wrote his thesis forjiis doctorate on the San Joaquin Valley. He has taught at Reedley Junior College, and since 1948 at Fresno State. Samuel Johnson said a biographer can better tell a person's life by talking to his servant than reading his chronology from pedigree to funeral. And so it is with Wallace Smith: One can best know the man by listening to his lectures, talking to him on the run from class to class and reading his own works. Wallace Smith doesn't look like a college professor. He looks more life a farmer or a salesman. He is tall; taller than he appears from behind a lectern. His arm-spread would draw envy from a center on a basketball team. His hands are the kind painters cherish; they have character. His face is lined with wisdom. When he tells an amusing story his eyes glisten and the corners of his mouth turn up. His speech has something of the "old west" about it. Wallace Smith's importance cannot be accurately measured in words. He has done for the San Joaquin Valley through a history book what John Steinbeck has done for the Salinas Valley in his novels. While Garden of the Sun is an academic and definitive work of history, it is also a readable and enjoyable story about people and events. Wallace Smith's personable manner has transcended the pages of his books. Garden of the Sun is now in its fourth edition and first printings of both the books are collectors' items. Wally Smith — that's what everyone calls him, forgetting his academic titles of doctor and professor — is one of those teachers who becomes something of an institution. He is one of the professors whom students consider a "faculty celebrity." He is THE authority on the Valley. He is colorful, interesting, a good story teller and popular. He has forged a link with the past by recording its history. It may be his expression of the need to remember the past so the Valley denizens of today will leave something for the future to look back on. by J. C. Hickman wtti Mi* SSff is***.*; r**t *p£i S3 m am SB **S8 J*? mm |
| Rights | Published by Fresno State College, Fresno, California, 1963. |
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