OLLI at TTU, Highland Lakes Board Member Bill Smyrl

By Daniel Johnson, Section Manager

Texas Tech University (TTU) has always been a special place for Bill Smyrl. Having grown up in Lubbock and graduated from Lubbock High School, just up the street from TTU, the university has always been around his life. Smyrl graduated from Texas Tech in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. He then founded and became president of Architectural Development Corp., a full-service architectural firm primarily engaged in commercial architecture which includes apartments, offices, retail and hotels. During this time Smyrl also founded Smyrl Investments and the SMYRLgroup. He now is engaged in real estate development and investments.

While Smyrl has worked hard throughout his career to grow businesses and developments, he has also found time to help others. He is a member of First Baptist Church of Marble Falls where he serves as a deacon and a trustee. Smyrl has always known that there were other ways for him to get involved, and what better way than with a program through his alma mater.

In 2007 while reading a copy of the Texas Tech Alumni Association's magazine, The Texas Techsan, Smyrl stumbled across a feature article about the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at TTU. It was not until years later that he would decide to be a part of OLLI at TTU.

"I was asked to serve on the OLLI Hill Country advisory board in 2015. I immediately said yes as I was very interested in OLLI from what I had initially read in the Texas Techsan," he said. "I view my role with the board as one to assist wherever the need arises, such as membership, curriculum, finance and general growth in the pursuit of the success of OLLI at TTU, Highland Lakes. I also try to develop my schedule so that I can attend and host as many classes as possible."

Even though Smyrl started in his board role to help the OLLI at TTU program, he has obtained a lot from the program as well.

Smyrl said, "The most enjoyable part of OLLI at TTU is the ability to continue to learn and expand my mental capabilities as I grow older, as well as, engaging and enjoying fellowship with other OLLI members and guests, as well as the instructors."

As a board member, Smyrl has been able to attend several courses, but there have been two that have stood out to him.

"History of WWII with two WWII veterans answering questions, presented by Dr. Ray Buchanan, regarding their service in the war and The History of Music (several venues have been presented) by instructor Larry Hess have been most interesting," Smyrl said.