Rex Smith | College of Social Science, 1978; College of Education, 1980
Sue Smith | College of Social Science, 1979; College of Social Science, 1981
Rex and Sue Smith exemplify what it means to live a life of service rooted in compassion, relationships and unwavering values. As co-recipients of the Alumni Service Award, the Smiths are honored not only for their extraordinary dedication to Michigan State University, but for their shared mission to uplift others through purposeful action and heart-led leadership.
Rex earned a bachelor’s degree from MSU’s College of Social Science in 1977 and a master’s from the College of Education in 1980. Sue holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in Labor and Industrial Relations from the College of Social Science, class of 1979 and 1981, respectively. From their time as students to their decades of community leadership, their Spartan experience has shaped their commitment to making the world a better place, one relationship at a time.
Together, Rex and Sue have been foundational supporters of the MSU Community Music School Detroit (CMSD), where their gifts have provided tuition assistance and expanded access to music therapy, especially for youth and patients at Detroit Children’s Hospital. Their generosity is not transactional; it is relational. Their guiding principle, “make someone’s day special today,” is not just a slogan but a way of life.
Their partnership extends into their professional lives at Beach Communications, LLC, where Rex serves as President and CEO and Sue as the Human Resources Manager. There, they have cultivated a culture where philanthropy and service are core to the company’s identity. Through their leadership, the firm has launched powerful community initiatives, including “Read a Book, See the World,” which boosts youth literacy across Detroit, and the Hand in Hand Foundation, which provides winter clothing and meals to those in need.
Their service is built on listening, understanding and responding to the real needs of others. Whether advancing educational equity, supporting the arts, or ensuring basic needs are met in underserved neighborhoods, Rex and Sue center every action on people and purpose. Their lives are a testament to the impact of value-driven leadership and the enduring power of relationships.
With every project they touch and every person they encounter, Rex and Sue reflect the best of the Spartan spirit. The Alumni Service Award celebrates their joint legacy, one built not on accolades, but on daily, intentional acts of kindness that change lives.