When Laurie Smith, BA ’61 (English), JD ’73, was six years old, her mother shook out her shoes over the bathtub each morning to make sure there were no scorpions hiding inside. As the daughter of a career Air Force officer, Laurie remembered those early years in Kingman, Arizona, as just one stop among the many moves her family made. 

“If you’re in the military, you move so often that you never really put down roots,” she said. “But, if you’re lucky, there are roots somewhere where you started out—and I was lucky because I had grandparents back in Oregon.” 

Whenever Laurie’s father received a new assignment, the family would return to Eugene to stay with her grandparents before settling somewhere new. Those visits created a lasting connection to the city and eventually led Laurie to the University of Oregon.  

“Every time, if I have a dream now of my childhood, it’s in my grandparents’ home,” she reflected. “I could draw you a floor plan and a map of the yard. It’s embedded in me.” 

The UO was already part of Laurie’s story long before she became a student. Her parents met in French class at the university, and nearly everyone in her family who attended college before her chose to become a Duck. After graduating from Eugene High School in 1955, Laurie followed that same path—and the memories and experiences she gathered from her time there shape her giving today. 

Embracing a Renaissance education  

When Laurie arrived at the UO, she was not focused on a specific career goal. 

“I didn’t think about doing anything except going to school,” she said. “I just loved going to school. It took me five years to graduate because I couldn’t decide on a major, and I took classes in everything!” 

Laurie eventually chose English as her major and got what she calls “unofficial minors” in French and German. That curiosity and willingness to explore different disciplines shapes how Laurie views education—not as preparation for one specific path, but as an opportunity to understand the world from different perspectives. 

After graduating from the UO, Laurie spent seven years teaching English, French, and German at high schools in central Oregon. During that time, she stayed connected to the university through the arts, attending events like the Oregon Bach Festival and performances at the University Theatre. 

Music and the performing arts have always been important parts of Laurie’s life. Her father was a violinist, her mother was a singer, and her stepfather was a classically trained pianist. Laurie also sang in the chorus at the UO School of Music and Dance, continuing a connection to the arts that would remain meaningful throughout her life.

For her, the value of the university has always extended beyond academics. The people she met and relationships she built became just as important as the classes she took.

“There are all kinds of things that you get from people that you don’t expect to. That’s what happens when you have connections with a university where you felt belonging when you were there.”

—Laurie Smith, BA ’61 (English), JD ’73

Finding her way as a lawyer

Although Laurie considered returning to the UO to pursue a PhD in comparative literature, her path led her to law instead. She had early exposure to the field through her father, who earned a law degree while serving in the military. Plus, after teaching, Laurie began working as a legal secretary at a small Eugene law firm. There, she learned the foundations of the profession. When she later enrolled in the UO School of Law, she continued working part-time to support herself while gaining experience with the daily work of a law office.

As an English major entering law school, Laurie sometimes wondered whether her background was the right path for a future attorney.

“I told my favorite professor in law school how everyone said to me, ‘Well, why didn’t you major in political science or something like that?’ and then he said, ‘Well, you majored in English. That’s the best background for a law degree.’ And I was stunned. I took him seriously.”

She came to see how her diverse education shaped the skills she would rely on throughout her legal career. 

During her third year of law school, Laurie participated in Moot Court, an organization where law students get hands-on opportunities to develop essential legal skills through mock competitions. It became one of her most memorable accomplishments at the university when her team competed in the International Moot Court event in New York, after winning state and district competitions in the United States.

“It was a great experience,” she said. “It taught me a great deal about how to think on your feet and how to express succinctly what you really want to get across to your audience.”

After passing the Oregon Bar Exam, Laurie practiced criminal defense and family law before making partner at her firm and eventually becoming a judge.

Staying connected through gratitude and giving

After years of careful investing through her IRA, Laurie decided to establish a planned gift split between the three areas of the UO that played the most meaningful roles in her life: the School of Music and Dance, the School of Law, and the English Department.

“I think what inspired me to continue giving to the university was I finally had a retirement fund when I left the practice,” Laurie explained. “It’s all going to organizations that I have found to be promising and fruitful and fun in my life.”

Laurie gives back to recognize the people, opportunities, and experiences that helped shape her journey. Her connection to the university has never been limited to one department or one experience—it comes from the many parts of campus that influenced her life. She encourages others who are considering philanthropy to begin wherever they can.

“Donate to your particular specialty,” she said. “Every little bit helps.” 

Whether through a planned gift or smaller contributions along the way, she believes every act of generosity creates opportunities for future generations. Her legacy will reflect the lasting impact of a university experience built on learning, relationships, and a sense of belonging.

Join Laurie in giving back to the UO today by exploring planned giving options or by making a donation.