Sad News: Mark Wellman Passes Unexpectedly

Dear Smith community,

It is with incredible sadness that I share the news that our colleague and friend Mark Wellman, assistant dean of corporate relations and director of the Business, Society and the Economy program of College Park Scholars, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away over the weekend. This is such a loss for the entire University of Maryland community, but particularly to all of you who knew him well.

Mark was truly committed to his students and deeply invested in their success. Over the past 30 years he has worked with Full-Time and Part-Time MBA students, executives, and with undergraduates as director of the Business, Society and the Economy Scholars program. The excursions he led to the corporate headquarters of high technology, venture capital and social media companies in Silicon Valley and the Pacific Northwest have helped many BSE students secure internships and jobs in these fields.

Each of the students he has taught will remember his enthusiasm, kindness and genuine interest in their well-being. 

Mark started the undergraduate management major and created many innovative co-curricular programs and experiences. He also directed the university’s three largest short term global immersion programs, taking students to the United Arab Emirates, Southeast Asia, and Australia. 

Mark received the University of Maryland Brit Kirwan award in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the university. He also received numerous awards for teaching, including the Allen J. Krowe Teaching Excellence award and the Outstanding Faculty Educator award.

The work Mark has done was inspiring and impactful, and his legacy will live on. I invite you to share your memories of Mark on our website; the page will allow you to upload both text and any photos you care to share. We will use these in our remembrance and will share them with Mark’s family and friends. Thank you for helping us celebrate his legacy.

Best,

Dean Prabhudev C. Konana