02/25/2026
Who remembers having Mr Smith as a teacher at Niles High School?
Today we would like to highlight another Niles educator, Leonard Smith.
Leonard (Lenny) Smith was born in South Bend, IN in 1934. He graduated from South Bend Central High School and then attended Talladega College, Alabama's first private historically black liberal arts college. At Talladega he played basketball, a sport he would continue coaching throughout his career.
After graduating from college, he moved back to South Bend. He spent time in Hampton, Virginia teaching at Thomas Nelson Junior College (now Virginia Peninsula Community College). He later returned to South Bend.
He came to Niles in 1962 and was hired as a physical education and health teacher. In 1969, the school board appointed Smith as the Student Affairs Coordinator, a position created to bridge racial gaps between students and faculty. As Coordinator he not only emphasized academic success but encouraged all students to become involved in extra-curricular activities.
Smith married Kathleen Watson, a chemist employed by Clark Equipment. Lenny and Kathleen were married for 65 years and raised three children. He and his family lived in a home in Ballard Hills which was built by high school students in the building trades program.
Smith went on to become the first Black Assistant Principal at Niles High School. He retired in 1994 after a 32-year career in the Niles schools. He always advised students that working hard in school would lead to success in college or trade school and also teach them to face life’s challenges. After retirement, he continued coaching and giving speeches on racial unity.
