On Saturday, he returned, in a way, to the building that now bears his name.

Playing the role of the longtime principal, Smithfield attorney Jimmy Narron, class of 1966, kept alumni in stitches as he chided the “boys and girls” for chattering during an assembly in the gym.

Narron was master of ceremonies as alumni returned to their old school, which the school system has renovated and turned into an office building. Narron introduced the Red Devil cheerleading squad, which led the crowd in a series of Smithfield High cheers, and he introduced the late pianist Flora Canady, played by Ella Ann Holding.

“It brings back a lot of memories,” said Ann Huckenbeck, class of 1954 and co-chair of the Smithfield High School Alumni Association.

Earlier in the day, Huckenbeck and friend Julia McCullers, class of 1951, used an oversized pair of scissors to cut a ribbon outside the three-story building. Two weeks ago, the Johnston County school board approved the alumni group’s request to name the office building after Glenn, who was principal of the high school from 1933 till 1965.

“I can’t think of anyone more deserving,” said Frances Creech, who taught business at Smithfield High from 1953 till 1969. “His love of education and the students was so evident. Mr. Glenn saw that each student got what they needed to proceed to college or the working world.”

Graduates of Smithfield High spent part of Saturday touring the renovated building. For many, it was the first time they had set foot in the hallways of their alma mater in more than 40 years. Smithfield High closed in 1969, when the county consolidated five high schools onto the campus of present-day Smithfield-Selma High.

“I almost don’t even recognize the place,” said Mae Dixon Jones of Pine Level. “They’ve done such a beautiful job.”

The renovation of the A.G. Glenn Building cost $2.6 million. Changes to the building include fresh paint and new carpet. The third-floor library is now a room for seminars and classes. And on the first-floor, one room has been converted to a museum of Smithfield High history.

The school’s alumni association paid to have displays and shadow boxes containing historical facts and memorabilia mounted on the walls. The displays feature information and photos of Smithfield High graduates in plays, at sporting events and in the classroom.

Jones, a 1954 graduate, couldn’t believe her eyes when she spotted a photo of herself with her teammates on the girls’ basketball team. She played guard and earned all-county honors.

“Oh look, that’s me,” Jones said, pointing to her photo. “It seems like that was so long ago now. Those were good days.”

Down the hall, Ann Hobgood and her sister-in-law, Sharon Hobgood, reminisced about their experiences at Smithfield High. Ann Hobgood beamed as she recalled events like Friday night football games. She also remembered the faces of many of her teachers, including English teacher and girls’ basketball coach Jack Temple, whom she said made many girls swoon.

“Ooooh, he was such a handsome man,” Hobgood said. “The girls were all ga-ga over him.”

For all the fun they had back then, alumni said they couldn’t forget the quality of education they received from their teachers. “The teachers were tough, but they were good,” said Tommy Stevens of Smithfield. “They taught us things kids today often don’t learn, like Latin. And they really cared about us too. They knew us all by name. It was a great time in all our lives.”