By Eliza Rohda ‘26
During Alumni Chapel on Saturday morning of Homecoming, York University announced that the newly established Center for Ministry will be named to honor the lifelong Kingdom work of Smith and Mary Kite. The newly named Kite Center for Ministry will be housed in a renovated and expanded McGehee Hall, thanks to an anonymous donation.
The Kites were special friends of the university, sending three of their four sons through York: Syd ’62, Paul ’64, and David ’70, while Smith served for many years on the board of trustees. Their son, Dr. Terence Kite, is currently in his 28th year as professor of physics at York University and their granddaughter, Valene (Kite ’88) Roseke, is the assistant to the provost.
But the Kite’s legacy goes beyond their involvement in York University’s programs. Smith and Mary Kite were active members in the Church of Christ—preaching, teaching, leading, and serving wherever they could. With a passion for personal evangelism and holding countless gospel meetings throughout the Midwest, Smith taught and baptized hundreds of people into the Lord’s body.
Smith got his start in ministry early on. While growing up near Dallas, Texas, Smith and his brothers often participated in local quartets and sang in nearby churches. He learned to love music from a young age, and would eventually become a song leader at the Arlington Heights Church of Christ in South Fort Worth. Over the following years, Smith would lead songs and preach at churches across Texas and the Midwest before he and Mary settled in Kearney, Nebraska. During the 16 years they were in Kearney, Smith and Mary built a strong community and came to love Nebraska. Smith always wanted to be with people, and often got to be present for the most significant moments in people’s lives as he performed many weddings and funerals across the state.
Smith and Mary Kite with sons (L-R) David, Terry, Syd, and Paul
The introvert to Smith’s extrovert, Mary preferred to stay out of the limelight. As the family moved again and again across state lines, they raised their four sons to love and serve in all the churches they were a part of. Mary was an active supporter of Smith’s ministry, and the two balanced each other out. Mary participated in every church event, and taught many children’s classes over the years.
Smith was chosen as the commencement speaker for the university in 2008 and challenged graduates to, "Remember who you are. Live in such a manner that when you look into the eyes of Jesus, you will not be either ashamed or afraid… It’s time to consider the priorities of your life, that you can accomplish something worthwhile for your neighbor as well as yourself." At the conclusion of his remarks, Smith was surprised and moved when his family gathered around him to celebrate his own honorary bachelor's degree conferred on him from York University.
Smith and Mary loved God and served the church faithfully, bringing many to Christ throughout their lives. Together, Smith and Mary left a legacy that the Center for Ministry is proud to be named after.
About McGehee Hall
McGehee Hall, built in 1911, was renamed in 1958 to honor Kathleen McGehee, librarian
for the university in the 1950s. The renaming in 1958 coincided with the addition
of a neo-classical façade and facility expansion. The building contains classrooms,
a campus student center/coffee shop and the campus ministry office. It is the long-time
setting for campus devotionals. The circular stained-glass window was added to honor
Kirk Miller (Class of 1984) and expansion of the front porch and steps area was done
to honor Mabrey and Madge Miller. Originally built as a gymnasium “with the finest
indoor track in Nebraska,” it was converted to the Alumni Library in the late 1920s,
and adapted for its current uses when the new (Levitt) library was completed in 1969.
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