Thanks to the generosity of the late Dr. Daryl and Peggy Long, Peru State College will be hosting distinguished speaker and author, V.J. Smith, on Tuesday, April 22, at 11:00 a.m. The talk will be held in the Performing Arts Center.

The event, which is open to the public and is free of charge, is being provided by funds provided by the Longs through the Peru State College Foundation. The Longs wanted to ensure students and staff, as well as the public, could experience distinguished speakers.

V.J. Smith is a professional speaker and published author who graduated from South Dakota State University in 1978. After a decade of work for the Allied Signal Aerospace Company in Kansas City, he returned to SDSU and worked six years in the athletic department. Following that stint, he was appointed Executive Director of the SDSU Alumni Association in 1996.

After 11 years in that position, Smith left to pursue a career in professional speaking. He travels the country and makes over 100 speaking appearances a year.

He is the author of the best-selling book The Richest Man in Town. The book details Smith’s relationship with a little old man who ran a cash register at a local Walmart who changed Smith’s life.

The book will be the topic of Smith’s presentation on April 22. The talk is based on the life of “Marty,” a wonderful man who ran a cash register at Walmart. He was considered rich because he was loved and respected, but most of all, he was content with every aspect of his life, no regrets. Marty’s simple philosophies show what happens when you take the time to be kind and compassionate. All that you give, you get back, and more. Audience members will go on an emotional roller coaster ride . . . guaranteed.

Smith is a two-time finalist in Toastmasters International’s World Championship of Public Speaking. He is also the author of Can You Hear What I See and Jackrabbit Tales. He is the president of Life’s Great Moments.

In November of 2018, Smith was elected to the State Senate of South Dakota where he served two terms. He currently resides in Brookings with his wife, Julie.