The University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business is seeking nominations for the schools 2006 Smith Leadership and Excellence Awards. The annual awards, which pay tribute to business leaders and organizations that have made a significant and positive impact in the mid-Atlantic region, will be presented in four categories: Business Excellence, Leaders for the Digital Economy, Leadership Excellence, and Public Excellence.

The Smith School offers congratulations to the 770 undergraduate, 300 MBA/MS, 25 Executive MBA, and 10 PhD new degree holders who graduated on May 22, 2005.  Kevin Plank '96, founder and CEO of Under Armour Performance Apparel, delivered an inspiring keynote address to a packed Comcast Center. "I'm appreciative of the life and business skills that UM taught me," he began. Drawing on his experience as a football player at Maryland and his keen entrepreneurial instinct, Plank recounted his vision and roadmap to "creating the world's greatest football undershirt."

The Robert H. Smith School of Business and the Graduate School of Business Administration (GSBA) Zrich in Switzerland, have announced a strategic partnership to deliver a unique program. The Smith-GSBA Global Executive MBA will be offered to U.S. and international business executives seeking a strong competitive edge in the global marketplace.

(l to r) Dean Howard Frank, Scott Koerwer, Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.

The University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business has announced its intent to expand the Smith Executive MBA (EMBA) program in China to include Shanghai beginning in November 2005. The school also custom MBA program for Otis Elevator China, one of the fastest growing multinational corporations in China. The announcements were made in Shanghai, where Smith School Dean Howard Frank is currently participating in an Asian economic development mission led by Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr.

For the past two years eSmith has been evolving into a comprehensive gateway that allows students, faculty, and staff to navigate through a network of public and private information, services, and business functions of the Smith School and the University of Maryland. The internal portal provides a secure infrastructure to present Web-based applications and information to the Smith community, focusing on tools for collaboration, research, and personal productivity.

How do you plan for the next crisis? Begin by asking this question.

Beauty pageants draw criticism. But Smith School executive communication coach Tricia Homer, who competed in the Miss Universe 2005 pageant, says the competitions can elevate one's brand.