David Bruce Smith has pledged $10 million through the Robert H. and Clarice R. Smith Family Foundation to support business education and the arts at the University of Maryland. The gift establishes new faculty positions at the Smith School and enhances programming at The Clarice, continuing the family's longstanding philanthropic legacy.

The University of Maryland’s Smith School launched its first undergraduate space commerce course this spring, giving students firsthand exposure to the rapidly growing aerospace industry. Through industry speakers and career connections, the course advances the school’s broader Space at Smith initiative and workforce-development efforts.

Business school leaders from more than 150 Mid-Atlantic institutions gathered at the University of Maryland’s Smith School to discuss higher education challenges, including AI, shifting student demands, and market changes. Conference speakers emphasized AI fluency, curriculum innovation, experiential learning, and adapting business education for long-term sustainability.

In his latest book, 1929: The Inside Story of the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History, Andrew Ross Sorkin couldn’t help but notice some modern parallels.

At the CEO at Smith event, Jay Sunny Bajaj, UMD ’99, shared lessons from building and selling DMI and launching DigiCap, emphasizing purpose-driven entrepreneurship, defining exit goals, supporting others, disciplined leadership and using AI as a tool, not a substitute for innovation.

University of Maryland’s Financial Wellness Hub opened in McKeldin Library, offering peer mentoring, workshops and classes on budgeting, investing and loans, aiming to improve financial literacy for students, faculty and staff across campus.

University of Maryland’s Smith School hosted its annual AI and Analytics for Social Good Workshop, convening experts to showcase data-driven research addressing societal challenges, advancing responsible AI, informing policy and preparing students for an evolving, technology-driven workforce.

At the 2026 AI Symposium on Design and Governance, speakers examined how artificial intelligence is shaping work, healthcare and software, emphasizing human-centered design, emerging skills, ethical oversight and the responsible integration of AI to augment, not replace, human capabilities.

Dean Prabhudev Konana begins a second term, highlighting growth in AI initiatives, new funding and a Baltimore campus. He pointed to strong MBA rankings, expanded events and partnerships, and a continued focus on students, research and community impact.

The Smith School’s Investing in Excellence event honored scholarship donors and recipients, highlighting record enrollment and more than $6 million awarded. Speakers said philanthropy expands opportunity, builds community and shapes futures for students and alumni across generations.