HARRISBURG — The board of governors of the State System of Higher Education on Thursday conferred the status of president emeritus on Slippery Rock University President Robert Smith, who will retire next month.

During his tenure as president, Smith helped raise SRU’s academic profile and oversaw more than $200 million in new construction and renovation projects that changed the face of the university and significantly improved the living and learning environment for students.

Smith was named president of Slippery Rock University in May 2004. He came to SRU in August 1999 as provost.

To be eligible for emeritus status, an individual must have spent at least five continuous years in his or her leadership position and have shown “an exemplary record of service through the demonstrated commitments of time, talent and resources” to the state system.

Smith is the sixth president to be granted emeritus status in the state system’s nearly 30-year history.