Hoke L. Smith
# Hoke L. Smith

Hoke L. Smith (May 7, 1931 – March 27, 2004) was the tenth president of Towson University.

Early in Smith's administration, he focused on Towson's status as a "comprehensive university." One of the first changes was the a new governance structure and the establishment of six colleges. With public higher education seriously under-funded, Smith set out to strengthen alumni and development programs as a source of alternative funding.

During his administration, Towson added 20 new undergraduate programs, 19 new graduate programs and the 3 doctoral programs. In 1997, Smith led Towson to its latest name change to Towson University.

On March 27, 2004, Smith died of liver cancer at his home in Baltimore.

