Celebrating National Scholarship Month - Dick and Joyce Smith Scholarship

Scholarships have the power to change lives. This National Scholarship Month, the University of Dubuque is celebrating the transformative power of scholarships by sharing the stories of those impacted.

Why fund a scholarship? To help people. It's a simple but true answer for Dick Smith, MA, associate professor emeritus of mathematics at UD, and his spouse, Joyce.

"When we were young, people helped us. We're in our late 70s, and we still want to do whatever we can to make the world a better place," Dick said. "We hope that the people who receive scholarships can learn to also be givers."

Established in 2019, the Dick and Joyce Smith Scholarship is intended to encourage and support a junior or senior majoring in either mathematics or education with a mathematics endorsement.

Madelyn Remek, a senior mathematics major from Mansfield, Texas, received the Dick and Joyce Smith Scholarship at the 2025 Honors Convocation. When she heard about the scholarship, Remek said the servant-minded values that Dick and Joyce embody shone through their dedication to serving their community.

"I felt incredibly grateful to have been selected. After learning more about who Dick and Joyce Smith are and the purpose behind their scholarship, I was truly moved," Madelyn said. "It's inspiring to see how this Christian couple continues to pour into their community and serve others in meaningful ways. As a Christian myself, their example encourages me to keep serving those around me and to maintain a servant-hearted mindset in all that I do."

UD's close-knit campus environment combined with opportunities through clubs, activities, athletics, and academics inspired Madelyn to become a Spartan. She is a midfielder on the women's soccer team, a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at UD, and an executive board member of the UD Accounting Club.

Beyond financial support in helping to pay her final semester of college, Madelyn emphasized that the Dick and Joyce Smith Scholarship has inspired her to continue to help others. During her time at UD, she has served other students through college ministry, volunteered with her soccer team, and helped her friends whenever needed.

"Their commitment to serving others is both inspiring and encouraging, especially for those who are new to or growing in their faith," Madelyn said. "I would also like to express my deep gratitude for their continued dedication to the University of Dubuque and for the meaningful impact they make through their generosity in providing scholarships to students like me."

Known for his dedicated service and personal investment in the lives of students, Dick taught at UD from 2004 to 2019. He was honored with the William L. Lomax Award for Excellence in Teaching and Advising in 2014. Dick transitioned from teaching to a new advisor/mentor role until 2022 before retiring.

Although their circumstances have changed with Joyce's diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, the Smiths remain steadfast in their desire to help others daily.

"We will always do whatever we can for whomever we can for as long as we can," Dick said. "If we strop reaching out to help other people, Joyce and I will cease to be who we are. People say we should slow down and take care of ourselves. We are taking care of ourselves by taking care of others."

Interested in learning more about investment and giving opportunities? Please visit https://www.dbq.edu/givingtoud/, call 563.589.3158, or email [email protected].