Southern Seminary chair named for Alabamian

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Calling it “a hallmark in the history” of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., President R. Albert Mohler Jr. announced Oct. 12 a fully funded $1 million endowed professorship named in honor of late Alabama Christian statesman Albert Lee Smith Jr.

Mohler announced the creation of The Albert Lee Smith Jr. Chair of Christian Leadership during a chapel service that was part of Southern Seminary’s annual Heritage Week. Smith served Alabama’s 6th District in the U.S. House of Representatives during the 96th session of Congress from 1981 until 1982.

Smith, who died in 1997, served for many years as a deacon at First Baptist Church, Birmingham, and as chairman of the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs (now the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty). His wife, Eunie, who was present during the announcement of the endowed chair, serves on the board of trustees for The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. The Albert Lee Smith Chair of Christian Leadership is Southern Seminary’s 18th endowed chair.