Murray SmartEmeritus Professor M.Arch., Tulane University msmart@uark.edu |
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Smart’s research interests center on the architecture of the
nineteenth century, particularly Neo-Gothic architecture. His book Muscular Churches: Ecclesiastical
Architecture of the High Victorian Period (University of Arkansas Press, 1989)
focuses on this period. He also has written numerous articles for the Victorians Institute Journal and
encyclopedia entries for several art and architecture reference works. With
Professor Ethel Goodstein-Murphree he co-edited Arris Magazine, the journal of the Southeast Society of
Architectural Historians, for three years. Smart also served as the president
of the organization for one year. Smart also edited Inquiry Magazine, the University of Arkansas’ undergraduate
research journal, for seven years, beginning with its inception in 2000.
Smart was awarded the prestigious University of Arkansas
Alumni Association award for distinguished teaching and public service in 1995
and was elected to membership in the University of Arkansas Teaching Academy in
1996. He was awarded a fellowship in the American Institute of Architects for
achievement in architectural education in 1990. He served ten years on the
Arkansas State Board of Architects, and with fourteen board members from other
state boards, developed the computer-administered and computer-graded
architectural design examinations used nationally for the licensing of
architects.
Throughout his career at the school, Smart has taken
particular interest in the media center, contributing many photographs that
comprise a significant portion of the slide collection. Upon his retirement in
1998, the center was named in his honor.
After retirement, Smart found that he missed teaching and
interaction with students, and returned to teach architectural history courses
part-time.