Through their generous and longtime support, Owen and Bernadette Smith have made a difference in the lives of many of the students at The Institute of World Politics.
Owen Smith, currently the Chairman of IWP’s Board of Trustees, has a rich background in local government and taxation. After attaining a law degree from St. John’s School of Law, and practicing for 29 years, Mr. Smith spent seven years as Deputy County Executive of Nassau County, New York. He has also served as Chairman of the New York State Board of Elections and of the Nassau County Planning Board. Mr. Smith has been a longtime professor of law, economics, and government at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, and is currently Professor Emeritus. He now owns and runs his family’s business, The Milleridge Inn – “One of America’s Famous Old Inns” – and the George Washington Manor in Long Island.
As Chairman of IWP’s Board, Mr. Smith has provided invaluable leadership and experience. He observes, “I am very pleased to see [IWP’s] growth and maturation particularly through the accreditation and renewal of accreditation process.”
Bernadette Casey Smith’s theatrical talents have enabled her to be involved in soap operas, television commercials, and professional theater. She also serves or has served on the boards of directors of several organizations, including the Irish Educational Development Foundation, The Henry Viscardi School at the National Center for Disability Services, the Veterans of the Office of Strategic Services, The William J. Donovan Foundation, and the National Historical Intelligence Museum. The daughter of the late William J. Casey, former Director of Central Intelligence, Mrs. Smith is also the Chairman of the William and Sophia Casey Foundation.
The Casey Foundation provides support for two main causes: national security, and the Catholic Church. Mr. Casey was a devout Catholic and dedicated his life to the service of his country and a cause higher than himself. In addition to generous financial support, the Casey Foundation also donated a significant portion of Mr. Casey’s private library to IWP. It is currently available to IWP students as a separate collection within our library. The Casey Library’s size and scope provide a clear window into the mind of one of the nation’s premier intelligence practitioners.
Owen and Bernadette Smith have been an integral part of IWP’s success, and we are profoundly blessed to have their friendship and support. When asked why he and Bernadette were such strong supporters of the Institute, Mr. Smith replied succinctly: “IWP provides a basic foundation for men and women seeking to make a career in what makes the world work.”
Above: Owen Smith speaks at the Institute’s 2008 Pearl Harbor Day Dinner. Below: Mr. and Mrs. Smith with Dr. Lenczowski on the occasion of their presentation of William Casey’s library to The Institute of World Politics.
