Five Smith School Alumni Leaders Inducted Into University of Maryland Alumni Hall of Fame in 2005

On Saturday, June 4, 2005, in a ceremony that occurs only once every five years, the Maryland Alumni Association bestowed its highest honor on a third Hall of Fame Class, the first to be inducted in the new Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center. Congratulations to five of the most outstanding Smith School alumni leaders: Robert H. Smith '50; Thomas V. Miller '64, '67; Gary Williams '68; Larry David '69, '70; and Carly Fiorina, MBA '80.

Robert H. SmithRobert H. Smith '50
Developer of Crystal City
Robert H. Smith's philanthropy has allowed his alma mater to see and achieve new possibilities. This past February, he launched Maryland into its newest fund-raising campaign with a record-setting $30 million gift.  "Financial success," he explains, "is only a way to give something back ..." Smith has created vibrant communities spanning two states and the nation’s capital. After graduation, Smith began working with his father’s business, the Charles E. Smith Companies, where he now serves as chairman of the Commercial and Residential Realty divisions. Tapping into the rapid growth in Northern Virginia, Smith led the development of Crystal City. He has served as a trustee of multiple institutions including the National Gallery of Art and the National Portrait Gallery. In 1998, Smith endowed and placed his name on Maryland’s business school, renewing his commitment to the university with a record-breaking gift in 2005.
►Read more about Robert H. Smith

Thomas V. MillerThomas V. Miller '64, '67 (Law)
Long-standing President of the Maryland Senate
Thomas V. "Mike" Miller has been leading the Maryland Senate since 1987 and giving back through public service since 1970. His inspiration: Atticus Finch from Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. "He was a lawyer who went back to his community, raised his family and stood up for what was right," explains Miller. Miller has been serving the people of Prince George’s County in Annapolis as a member of the House of Delegates and the state senate. He has held the Senate presidency since 1987—the longest tenure in Maryland history. Miller is a member of the national, state and local bar associations. He has won the Bulger Award for Outstanding Legislator in the United States and Johns Hopkins University’s William P. Coliton Community Service Award for Excellence. In 2001, the Senate named the new Thomas V. "Mike" Miller Jr. Senate Building in his honor.

Gary WilliamsGary Williams '68
Championship-winning Coach
"I thought I would be working for IBM," recalls Maryland Men's Basketball Coach Gary Williams. Technology's loss is the university's gain: since 1989, Williams has netted one of the ACC's highest win records, taking his Terps to 11 NCAA tournaments and earning the 2002 national title as well as the 2004 ACC title. As an undergraduate business major, Williams played point guard for the Terps. After graduation in 1968, he coached Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden, N.J., to an undefeated season and a state championship before moving on to American University, Boston College and Ohio State University. In 1989, he returned to Maryland and advanced his team into post-season competition during his inaugural year—a university first.
►Watch Gary William's Spring 2004 Smith School commencement speech

Larry DavidLarry David '69, '70
Seinfeld Creator
"I had a wonderful childhood," Larry David says, "which is tough because it's hard to adjust to a miserable adulthood." Four years after graduating, David began his stand-up comedy career, developing a reputation as the "comic’s comic" on stage, while building an extensive list of credits on the big and small screen. Between 1979 and 1982, he served as writer and actor on the late-night sitcom Fridays. In 1984 he wrote for Saturday Night Live. Between 1983 and 1987, David appeared in several films including Woody Allen’s Radio Days. In 1988, he teamed with Jerry Seinfeld to create the hit sitcom Seinfeld, earning two Emmy awards. Today, David plays himself in HBO’s critically acclaimed, Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Carly FiorinaCarly Fiorina '80 MBA
Trailblazing Executive
Technology executive Carly Fiorina has used her leadership skills to climb over professional barriers, right to the top of the business world. At the Smith School's CIO Forum in 2003, she gave her own definition of leadership: "... helping other people achieve more than they think is possible; helping people see a different set of possibilities for themselves." Fiorina earned an undergraduate degree in medieval history and philosophy, spent a semester in law school and taught English in Italy before coming to the University of Maryland for her MBA. She worked as an executive for AT&T and Lucent Technologies, joining Hewlett-Packard as president and CEO in 1999—the first outsider and the first woman to head the company. Fiorina has served on the New York Stock Exchange Executive Board and has advocated for the development of impoverished regions around the globe, winning the "Seeds of Hope" Award in 2003. In 2004, she was nominated to the U.S. Space Commission.
►Watch video clips from Carly Fiorina's keynote speech at the CIO Forum

Other business school alumni already in the Hall of Fame include:

Waldo M. Burnside '49
Inducted June 10, 2000
After graduating from Maryland in 1949, Waldo Burnside joined Woodward & Lothrop’s— "Woodies"—in Washington, D.C. Over 30 years with the legendary retailer, he rose to president and CEO. In the late 1980s, while running West Coast retailer Carter Hawley Hale in Los Angeles, Burnside directed the California-based real estate brokerage firm, Security Pacific. He retired in 1991 but continues to be a leading member of the business community. An active alumnus, he created the Regents and Banneker/Key Scholarships at Maryland, was president of the Terrapin Club and director of the Maryland Education Foundation. Burnside has served as a trustee of the University of Maryland, College Park Foundation.

The Honorable Harry R. Hughes '49
Inducted June 10, 2000
Harry Hughes, the 57th governor of Maryland, served two terms between 1979 and 1987, leaving a record of progress in social reform, environmental protection and fiscal responsibility. Under his administration, Maryland launched a program to save the Chesapeake Bay and led the nation in efforts against drunk driving. Capital investment by new and expanding businesses averaged $1 billion a year, while unemployment remained below the national average. Hughes balanced the state’s budget while launching the greatest tax-relief program in Maryland’s recent history. He also appointed more women and minority citizens to the judiciary and key government posts than any previous governor.

Samuel J. LeFrak '40
Inducted April 22, 1995
As chairman of The LeFrak Organization, Samuel LeFrak presided over one of the world’s largest private building firms. Its development projects include New York’s LeFrak City, Battery Park City, Gateway Plaza and the $10 billion Newport City Complex in New Jersey—one of the world’s largest planned communities. The company also pursues global gas and oil exploration, international financing, publishing and entertainment. LeFrak counseled all levels of government, foreign and domestic, on urban planning and housing tech-nology issues. He received many awards for his work, including knighthood, the John F. Kennedy Peace Award and numerous honorary doctorates. LeFrak's son Richard now heads the company.

►Find out more about the Alumni Hall of Fame celebration.

 

Other Leading Smith School Alumni:

Leo Van Munching, Jr. ’50
Leo Van Munching, Jr. was president of the company holding the exclusive franchise to import and distribute Heineken and Amstel Light beer.

Rosendo Parra ’82
Ro Parra is senior vice president for Dell’s Americas business, responsible for serving corporate, government, education, healthcare, consumer and small and medium business customers in the United States, Canada and Latin America.

Kevin Plank ’97
Kevin Plank is owner and founder of Under Armour Performance Apparel, the official supplier to Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, 30 NFL teams, and all but 9 of the 117 Division 1A college football programs.