Fred Smith’s legacy will forever be cemented in the city of Memphis and around the world for transforming parcel delivery and revolutionizing the shipping, transportation and logistics industries as the founder and longtime CEO of FedEx Corporation.
What began in the 1970s with 186 deliveries, FedEx is now at 17 million daily, with its headquarters in Memphis.
Through his visionary leadership, Smith grew FedEx Corporation into the world’s largest express transportation company, which has elevated the city it calls home.
Smith was not only a fierce leader of industry, but also a steadfast advocate for providing educational opportunities and advancing Memphis’s flagship higher education institution — the University of Memphis.
Smith, his family and FedEx have maintained continuous partnerships with the University for decades, elevating key areas of the institution through philanthropic donations in academics, athletics, research and advancement.
“Fred Smith was a titan of industry and a passionate Memphian who devoted more than 50 years to growing this city,” said UofM President Bill Hardgrave. “A fierce advocate for education, he helped shape opportunities at the University of Memphis that have elevated our campus — investments that include top-tier facilities, academic programs and internships that connect our students to the height of corporate America.”
Just as FedEx Corporation was a champion for simplifying logistics, the University of Memphis serves as a champion for accessible education, a dedication that has been furthered strengthened thanks to the generosity of Smith and FedEx.
Higher education can propel an employee’s advancement and earning potential and an innovative program in 2018 made this possible for FedEx employees, empowering them to pursue earning a degree at the UofM through the FedEx LiFE program.
Housed in UofM Global, the FedEx LiFE program was designed for working professionals to acquire a degree with flexibility through a 100% online learning program with a dedicated LiFE coach. FedEx employees receive up to $5,250 per year in tuition assistance. Additionally, LiFE Prep Academy is available to those who don’t have a high school diploma as a pathway to earn up to 12 college credits. Since it began, 204 LiFE students have earned their degree. Currently there are 269 LiFE students enrolled, and 460 LiFE students active in the Prep Academy. FedEx has paid close to $6 million for students to purse their degrees.
“Through the Learning inspired by FedEx (LiFE) program, Fred Smith gave his employees the opportunity to acquire college degrees at the UofM, providing flexible schedules and tuition assistance to those who needed it most,” said President Hardgrave. “His legacy will forever be displayed through the lives of our students, the strength of our programs and the deep bond between FedEx and our institution.”
Smith has also transformed the landscape of athletics at the University.
In 2023, the Fred Smith Family made the largest donation in University history, committing a $50 million challenge gift for renovations to the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, home of Memphis Tigers Football.
In 2024, FedEx announced an NIL (name, image and likeness) commitment of $5 million per year for the next five years ($25 million total) benefitting college athletes who promote FedEx initiatives.
“Fred was more than a visionary businessman — he was an icon and a servant leader whose impact on the Memphis community is immeasurable. Without his foresight and extraordinary generosity, neither Memphis Athletics nor the City of Memphis would be what they are today,” UofM Senior Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Ed Scott said. “We are deeply grateful to Fred Smith and his family for their unwavering support of Memphis Athletics.”
Smith was a pioneer of logistics innovation, using technology to advance FedEx over the years. This same innovation through the use of technology is being stewarded at the FedEx Institute of Technology — a partnership between the UofM and FedEx that began more than two decades ago to further its research in key areas. The institute located on the Central Campus supports research clusters in areas including intelligent systems, drones, cybersecurity testing, biologistics, autonomous vehicles, robotics, agriculture and food technologies, smart biomaterials, electric vehicles, additive manufacturing and precision medicine.
The University will be forever grateful to Smith for his generosity, philanthropic partnerships and visionary leadership which will impact UofM students for many years to come.
University of Memphis Board of Trustees Chairman Cato Johnson said, “As a Board of Trustees member, you dream of having a partner like Fred Smith — a benefactor who went above and beyond for our University. He did time and time again. And the University of Memphis was not alone in receiving his generosity. All of Memphis felt the impact of his leadership and commitment. We will miss his presence, but his legacy will continue to shape this city and our institution for generations to come. Simply put, his shoes can’t be filled.”
