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Fort Valley State University Names Building in Honor of Distinguished Alumnus Calvin Smyre

Posted on Jan 16, 2025

Fort Valley State University is pleased to announce that the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has approved the naming of the building known as the Kell Building, located on South Camellia Boulevard in downtown Fort Valley, as the "Calvin Smyre Building." This decision honors the outstanding service and philanthropy of the Honorable Calvin Smyre, a Class of 1970 distinguished alumnus and longtime supporter of our institution.

The Calvin Smyre Building will house the Center for Agricultural Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a groundbreaking initiative that will serve as a small business incubator to promote agribusiness and entrepreneurship in Middle Georgia. This center will play a crucial role in supporting the commercialization and marketing of agricultural products, providing vital resources for successful business development in our region.

Key features of the Center for Agricultural Innovation and Entrepreneurship include:

  • Fostering industry collaborations and manufacturing partnerships to bring agricultural innovations to market
  • Offering opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to develop entrepreneurial skills
  • Supporting enhanced farming methods and product development

While we are excited about this new development, we are still in the planning stages. The Center, which is a USDA funded project, and the renovation of the building, have experienced some project delays. Due to price escalation and other variables, the University is seeking funding to complete the project. The timeline for completion is still being determined as we finalize our plans and resources, and a future date for the naming will be announced. 

About the Honorable Calvin Smyre
The naming of this building is a fitting tribute to Calvin Smyre's remarkable legacy: 

  •     Served as a member of the Georgia General Assembly for nearly 48 years, becoming its longest-serving member
  •     Authored legislation to establish Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday as a state holiday
  •     Nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as Ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas
  •     Appointed as a Representative of the United States to the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
  •     Served as Chairman of the Fort Valley State Foundation for more than 30 years
  •     Established the Fountain City Classic, which has raised more than $1,400,000 for FVSU athletics
  •     Joined Synovus in 1976 as a management trainee and retried in 2014 as executive vice president of corporate affairs. Synovus created a scholarship in honor of Smyre that is given annually to a student enrolled at FVSU.

In December 2024, the intersection at Macon Road and Interstate 185 in Columbus, GA was officially renamed the Calvin Smyre Interchange. This location holds special significance, as it was the left turn Smyre took year after year during his 100-mile journey to Atlanta and the state capitol. The interchange, not far from his home, serves as a symbolic tribute to his decades of public service and underscores his deep connection to Columbus.
In 2022, the Morehouse School of Medicine held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Calvin Smyre Education Conference Center a $45 million, 52,300 square foot facility. These recent honors compliment the university's naming of the Calvin Smyre Building, further celebrating his extraordinary contributions to Georgia and our community. 
Calvin Smyre's dedication to public service, education and our institution makes him an ideal namesake for this important new center. We look forward to honoring his contributions and continuing his legacy of innovation and community support through the Calvin Smyre Building and the Center for Agricultural Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

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