Smith Schools Welcomes STARS

Smith School students, faculty and friends celebrated a new year of academic achievement at the annual Smith Talent Acquisition and Referral System (STARS) retreat, held on Friday, September 16. New freshman and transferring juniors enjoyed a variety of events, including a presentation by students at Northwestern High School of their work on the STARS online book club. Teachers from eight Prince Georges public schools finance academies participated in a finance clinic offered by assistant professor of finance Gerard Hoberg and Chuck Lahaie, Financial Markets Lab manager in the Smith Schools Netcentric Financial Markets Lab.

The event was hosted by Smith School Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs Patricia Cleveland and included special guests John Lee, human resources manager of Pepsico sales; Lemma Senbet, William A. Mayer Chair of Finance and chair of the finance department; Jasper Wilson, business education supervisor for Prince Georges County public schools; Aggie Nteta, Washington, D.C., Office of the Chief Technology Officer; Lonell Johnson, Project 312/I Have a Dream Foundation; and Marsha Youngblood, from the University of Maryland's Academic Achievement Program.

Through the STARS program, Smith undergraduate and alumni mentors reach out to area high school and junior high school students to help them achieve their dreams of a college education. STARS mentors provide students with a network of support and an encouraging environment which helps them be successful throughout their academic careers. STARS scholarships provide high-potential students from underrepresented minorities with the financial support they need to pursue a degree in business.

Transferring junior Arlene Logan is one of the recipients of this years STARS scholarships. Logan, who came to the United States from Jamaica a few years ago, is studying information systems in the decision and information technologies department. The STARS program will help make possible her dream of pursuing a doctorate after she graduates from the University of Maryland.

John Lee delivered the keynote address at the luncheon as a representative of Pepsico, which is a major supporter of the STARS program and provider of $150,000 in scholarships and program support. Pepsi STARS scholarship awardees for 2005-06 include freshmen Danielle Finney of Fairmont Heights High School, graduate of Fairmont Heights National Academy of Finance. Since 2000, Pepsico has more than doubled the number of top executives who are persons of color, said Lee, as he discussed the company's commitment to creating a culture where diversity is embraced and leveraged. Leveraging the company's ethnic diversity has resulted in the evolution of a number of ethnically-inspired products, which Lee took moment to praise (Flamin Hot Cheetos and Wasabi Funyuns, anyone?)

Associate dean Patricia Cleveland believes that leveraging diversity is important for more than just corporations. Cleveland said, At the Smith School we see the value proposition for diversity. The STARS program is an important enterprise for the Smith School and its surrounding communities, for each of us as American citizens, and for our incredible shrinking planet.

Lemma Senbet, chair of the finance department, attended the luncheon in support of the STARS program. Senbet, who also participates in the Smith Schools Finance Field Day, which brings high school students to Smith, is also pleased to see the Smith Schools continuing commitment to growing a diverse community, saying, A program like STARS helps us bring a wide range of the best students to Smith.

▓ Rebecca Winner, Office of Marketing Communications