Welcome Full-Time Smith MBA Class of 2013
The University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business full-time MBA
Class of 2013 filled the grand atrium in Van Munching Hall to kick off this
year’s MBA Orientation. The weeklong orientation began on August 18, 2011, with
a breakfast for the new students, followed by a welcome from Dean G. “Anand” Anandalingam, Associate Dean of MBA and MS Programs Bob Krapfel and a few
members of the MBA Association (MBAA).
“Welcome to Smith. We are one really close-knit family,” the dean addressed
the MBAs. “No matter where you went for your undergraduate degree, you are all
Terps now! … There have been a lot of changes at the university, including a new
president, a new football coach and a new basketball coach. It is a really
exciting time to be a Terp. So, welcome to Smith and welcome to the University
of Maryland.”
The dean talked about the mission of the Smith School and his hopes for the
MBA students as they embark on their two-year journey: “We want our MBAs to help
bring about positive change in the world. … With an MBA degree, you can really
make a big difference. The world is full of people who want to do good but that
is not enough. You really need to have the skills, knowledge and thought
leadership that the MBA program teaches to make positive changes and be able to
sustain them. If there is one thing you take away from this session with me, it
should be the thought ‘How can I make a clear, significant difference in this
world?’”
The incoming class of MBAs is made up of 23 percent female students, 45
percent international students and 18 percent minority students. The class has
an average GMAT score of 670, a 3.34 average undergraduate GPA and an average of
four years of work experience.
Cara Weikel, the MBAA president, and Santosh Chavan, the MBAA vice president
of student affairs, also welcomed the incoming class.
“Today you are joining the Smith family and a family of Terps,” Weikel said,
adding that she had been excited to meet the new cohort for almost nine months
now. “I am really passionate about the program at Smith and I hope you will be,
too.”
Chavan gave the new class a piece of advice as they start their journey:
“Make the most of you opportunities at Smith. There are ample opportunities, so
make them count.”
The day continued with ice breakers and team-building activities, launching
the weeklong orientation and welcome program for the newest cohort of the Smith
MBA program.
Stay up-to-date with orientation news on Twitter:
#SmithMBAOrientation.
Jessica Bauer, Writer and Editor, Office of Marketing
Communications
