Smith Seniors Celebrate Their Journey at the Smith Senior BBQ

Kevin Li, class of 2019 marketing and information systems double major, writes about the annual Smith Senior BBQ. Photos are courtesy of Adedeji Adebayo, class of 2018 business information systems major.

On Sept. 6, 2017, the third-floor atrium in Van Munching Hall at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business was abuzz with seniors as they laughed and shared memories with their fellow classmates at the Fourth Annual Smith Senior BBQ.

The Smith Senior BBQ is an annual event hosted by the Smith Undergraduate Program to celebrate seniors and the last part of their Smith journey. The Senior BBQ is a “way to kick off celebration [for seniors] and has become a Smith tradition,” said Emily Heavin, the organizer and director of the Smith Undergraduate Program. Seniors picked up their Class of 2018 shirts, ate some great food, and reminisced over their last four years with other seniors.

A mixture of nostalgia and melancholy filled the air as seniors reflected on their journey thus far.

“This is the most bittersweet moment ever, I’ve seen myself grow in Smith and I’m excited to leave but it’s going to be a sad moment,” said Jessica Harrison, a fifth-year senior management major who will be graduating in the winter.

Angelina Bingei, a senior information systems and marketing major, said that she "is so excited for what the future holds and Smith has prepared [her] for it.”

Smith seniors loved the event as many appreciated the opportunity to connect with other seniors and enjoy burgers, hot-dogs and cookies.

Jessica Ting, a senior marketing and information systems major, put it best when she said, “free food, free t-shirt, what’s not to love?”

To learn more about the Robert H. Smith School of Business Undergraduate Program, visit: www.rhsmith.umd.edu/undergrad.