Those who have worked with Smith describe him as a man of many strengths who quietly shapes the institutions with which he becomes involved.

Two of his strengths, associates say, are his dedication to the University and his business acumen. Hope says Smith showed "a great understanding of Harvard and a great loyalty to Harvard."

And Berenberg, who has worked with Smith on the United Cerebral Palsy Research and Education Foundation, describes Smith as "very devoted to Harvard."

Hope says Smith has "an absolutely impeccable business reputation," while Hunt cites his "excellent business judgement."

"In the world of business, he's done very well," Hiatt says, comparing Smith's expertise in that area to Mockler's, and mentioning Smith's skill in strategically diversifying General Cinema Corporation.

The result of that skill has been an American success story. Smith, a Forbes 400 millionaire with assets recently estimated at approximately $460 million, grew a family-run chain of drive-in movie theaters into a conglomerate that now includes the Harcourt Brace Jovanovich publishing house and a 60 percent interest in the Nieman Marcus Group.

But Smith is no Donald Trump. He is widely described as a generous philanthropist who shies away from public attention.

Indeed, quiet and private might be the operative words to describe Smith. A recent Forbes article described him as "a private man who has no ego need for publicity." And an assistant who answered the phone in his Chestnut Hill office says Smith does not usually accept reporters' requests for interviews.

Berenberg speaks of Smith's "quiet" nature, saying he is "not a publicity hound by any means."

And Meltzer, director of development at the Facing History and Ourselves Foundation, says Smith "really cares about the press he receives." Smith is chair of the board of the Foundation, which seeks to help schoolteachers reduce prejudice, using the Holocaust as a model.

Still, Berenberg says Smith's laconic stretches have not hindered the new corporation member's leadership or accomplishments.

"When he speaks, he says something meaningful," Berenberg says.

Dick Squires, chair of the Board of Overseers of Brandeis University's Wien International Scholarship program, shared the same sentiments about Smith in a separate interview.

Squires also remarked on Smith's quiet side. But he adds, "when he speaks, he really has something to say."

All that quiet time does not go to waste, associates say. Meltzer says Smith's leadership style involves "really paying attention and listening." And Squires says Smith "listens carefully."

After attentively observing, Smith can play a significant role in a decision-making process. University Marshal Richard M. Hunt calls Smith "consultative, but also a very strong leader."

Berenberger also emphasized that while quiet, Smith can be "aggressive." Yet Hiatt describes Smith as a "thoughtful" man, whose greatest virtue is his sensibility.

As an undergraduate at Harvard, Smith lived in Lowell House. He played squash, tennis and golf while concentrating in Engineering Sciences. His yearbook listed his intended permanent vocation as "Business."

Squires says Smith still plays tennis. And his permanent vocation is, of course, business.

Ever-courteous, Smith would not let even weightlifter Corporation member Judith Hope carry her heavy suitcase in windy weather.