Smith Family Values, Family Weekend 2016

Smith student Philip Peker ’18 writes about the welcome reception on Oct. 14, 2016, during Family Weekend 2016 at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business.

To kick off Family Weekend 2016 at Smith, Associate Dean Victor Mullins and the Undergraduate Studies Program staff hosted a welcoming reception, providing music, food, and a warm atmosphere for Smith students, alumni, and families.

Family Weekend is an important time for the Smith community. The Smith School prides itself on being big enough to support the passions and goals of all of its students, but small enough to feel like its own community. The concept of family is near and dear to the hearts of those at Smith and when the Smith staff and faculty have the opportunity to mingle with student families; festive times are always in store.

This year, families were welcomed by a live jazz trio and an assortment of delectable hors d'oeuvres. As the room began to buzz with conversation, I had a chance to chat with students and family about what Smith means to them.

As natives of central New Jersey, freshman students Nikhil Modi and Kunal Gupta did not know what to expect when they first arrived at Smith. Nikhil was undecided in his major, and Kunal was a little overwhelmed with all the options and opportunities at Smith. It did not take long for the Smith community to transform their uncertainties into potential. After talking to upperclassmen, professors, and getting involved in various student organizations at Smith, they are equally excited to begin building their brand and to take command of their futures.

“I’m really looking forward to going abroad with Smith, whether it’s a semester abroad or short term. The trips look really amazing,” says Nikhil. Kunal echoed Nikhil’s excitement: “Although I am a finance major and I’m looking into banking, I am really excited about getting involved with all the entrepreneurship resources at Smith and UMD. When I heard of the Dingman Center, I immediately knew this was something special and unique to Smith.”

Chad Gruzin, a junior Smith student already commanding his career as a double major in finance and information systems, was excited to bring his family to his home away from home; the Smith School of Business. “Both of my parents came to the University of Maryland. My dad was a Smith student before it was even called Smith. I was born with Terp Pride, and so it’s truly a blessing to be able to continue the tradition,” says Chad. “I really feel a sense of community as I walk through the halls of Smith. The business world may be cutthroat, but at Smith, everyone is trying to help everyone else succeed.”

For more information about the undergraduate program at Smith, visit: www.rhsmith.umd.edu/undergrad.

For more pictures, visit Dean Mullins' Facebook Page.