Smith, Harry O. (Harry Ohmit)

Harry Ohmit Smith, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, graduated from Penn State in 1921 with a degree in architectural engineering. As a student, he was a member of the Beaux Arts Society, Sigma Phi Sigma, and the 1920 La Vie board. He played class lacrosse and was second lieutenant in the United States Field Artillery Corps. After graduation, Smith served on the University's architectural engineering faculty before leaving to start his own business, the State College Construction Co. This firm was responsible for a number of area landmarks, including University buildings and fraternity houses, the Greyhound Post House, and the first permanent seating at Memorial Field. The real estate development firm, H.O. Smith and Sons, also prospered. Smith also served two terms as a State College borough councilman and was active in many organizations, including the Boy Scouts and Sigma Phi Sigma fraternity. His son, Charles Smith, contributed the first donation to the Penn State Arboretum in 2007 by funding the Harry O. Smith Botanic Gardens in his father's honor.