About Us
The Groups Alumni Association Mission
In cooperation with the Indiana University Alumni Association, the Groups Alumni Association seeks to recognize and serve its past, present, and future. The GAA facilitates reunion, growth, and the continued success of the IU Groups Student Support Services by organizing its alumni and current students for mutual benefit and to support Indiana University.
The GAA offers not only an opportunity to give back, but a chance to enjoy continued participation in the Groups family. The GAA Alumni is comprised of those who have shared the IU Groups Student Support Service experience as past or present staff, students, parents, recommenders, ambassadors, mentors, IU advisory council members, and friends — those who have been and continue to be part of the Groups family. All persons, by virtue of previous involvement with the Groups Program, are alumni of the program and are considered members of the Indiana University Groups Alumni Association.
President Smith's Biography
Lindsey A. Smith
President
Groups Alumni Association
Lindsey A. Smith has served as the president of the Indiana University Groups Alumni Association since 2004. A member of Groups 1971, he graduated from IU in 1976 with a BA in Forensic Studies (Criminal Justice Administration). Smith has wonderful memories of his years as a student in the Groups Program and is proud of his continued involvement as one of the founding members of the Groups Alumni Association. Since graduating, he has achieved numerous professional and personal accomplishments. He credits IU and the Groups Program as the pivotal point that helped make those successes possible.
While a student at IU, Smith was also a member of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and upon graduation was commissioned as an infantry second lieutenant. His Army service included assignments in West Germany; the University of Notre Dame in Indiana; Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; Fort Ord, Calif.; the Presidio of San Francisco; and Fort Knox, Ky. He rose to the rank of major and was the last commander of the Garrison Battalion at the Presidio of San Francisco. He received numerous awards and decorations for his military service.
Former Indiana Gov. Evan Bayh presented Smith with the Sagamore of the Wabash award for leadership in 1994 to recognize his achievements in the Army. The Sagamore of the Wabash is the state of Indiana’s highest award presented by the governor.
Upon his retirement from the Army, Smith settled with his family in Bloomington, Ind., where he served as the director of the Monroe County Office, Division of Family and Children Services. Currently he is the director of the Department of Child Services.
Smith is a native of Hammond, Ind., and graduated from Hammond Technical Vocational High School in 1971. In addition to his IU degree, he earned a Master’s of Education from the University of Southern California in 1980. Since 1975 Smith has been married to Dawn Dunn Smith, an IU graduate and Army lieutenant colonel. They have three children: Shannon Smith, a 2003 IU graduate, Army Captain, and Iraq veteran; Ryan Smith, an IU senior and track team All-American; and Erin Smith, an IU freshman. They have one grandson, Logan Smith.