The Morehouse College School of Medicine names a building after retired Georgia Representative Calvin Smyre. The newest building is called the Calvin Smyre Education Conference Center.

“Well, you know, in a way, it’s a little embarrassing, but at the same time it’s joyous,” Smyre said. “And when you think about buildings, and you think about your portrait—90 percent of the people in the Capitol never saw their portrait hung—and so it’s a great honor. I kind of wish they were spaced out a little bit more—not at the same time. But I am honored, and I am grateful.”

Smyre served in the Georgia General Assembly from 1975 to 2023, making him one of the longest-serving House members ever. He is currently the executive vice president of Corporate Affairs for Synovus and chairman and chief executive officer of the Synovus Foundation. As EVP of Corporate Affairs, he leads Synovus’ vision and engagement in civic, philanthropic, and community activities. In his role as chair of the Synovus Foundation, Smyre oversees the organization’s educational philanthropy, which includes efforts to improve the academic performance of kids in public and secondary schools as well as scholarships and programs for college students.

During his time as a Georgia House Representative, Smyre served the 132nd House District in Columbus, Georgia, and sat on several important panels of the house, including the Appropriations, Higher Education, and Rules committees. He made history as the first African-American in the state to be appointed Administration Floor Leader and to the Democratic National Committee.

Smyre is a proud Fort Valley State University (formerly College) alumnus. He is a past president of the university’s National Alumni Association and the current chairman of the Fort Valley State College Foundation. The Fort Valley State University “Blue Machine Marching Band” played the school’s alma mater during the ceremony.

“He loves Fort Valley,” Bennie North, a longtime friend of Smyre, said. “So there was a brief moment there where all of his pride and all of his years came to the surface when he heard the band sing his school song. And I thought, how appropriate.”

“I thought about Fort Valley State University. I owe a lot to Fort Valley State,” Smyre added. “Fort Valley made me who I am. I was a diamond in the rough; they polished me up and put me out here.”