The Smith School launched an exciting semester with its largest freshman class, surging program enrollments, and major alumni gifts supporting research and entrepreneurship. Faculty were honored, innovative learning initiatives expanded, and events promoted discourse and collaboration, advancing accessible, forward-looking business education.

Former Deputy Treasury Secretary and William E. Longbrake Professor of Finance Michael Faulkender joined Dean Prabhudev Konana for the first Dean’s Distinguished Speaker Series, discussing tariffs, fiscal policy, inflation, manufacturing, and the Federal Reserve, while urging students to engage in civil, independent dialogue.

The Smith experience emphasizes independent thinking, civil discourse and global engagement. Through immersive programs, debate series and initiatives like the Fact-Based Discourse Initiative, students collaborate across disciplines to tackle challenges, develop leadership skills and prepare to lead with curiosity and integrity.

The Smith School honored former dean Rudolph P. “Rudy” Lamone with a renaming of its entrepreneurship center, recognizing his pioneering legacy. Supported by a $3.8 million gift from Linda Lamone, the Dingman-Lamone Center continues to foster ventures, innovation and entrepreneurial education.

The Smith School hosted Nigeria’s acting ambassador, Samson Itegboje, to strengthen partnerships benefiting students. Leaders discussed collaboration in AI, healthcare, and business. Nigerian students’ contributions were celebrated, and the visit highlighted opportunities for cultural exchange, research, internships, and global cooperation between institutions.

Smith’s MBA veterans benefit from strong community, mentorship, and dedicated programs. Students Alexandra Pogany and Charles Castelly lead initiatives, while alumni Ryan McCarthy and Jim Bell credit Smith with transforming military experience into leadership and sustaining a vibrant veteran network.

The Smith School welcomed its largest-ever freshman class of nearly 700, a 17% increase from last year. At convocation, leaders, alumni, and peers encouraged involvement, growth, and exploration. Smith also welcomed new MBA, master’s, and doctoral students across programs.

Maryland football coach Michael Locksley is co-teaching a revised “Leadership and Teamwork” course with professor Sheetal Singh in the Smith School’s Master of Science in Management Studies program, emphasizing experiential learning on leadership and teamwork for about 60 students.

Business school deans from across the DMV gathered Aug. 15, 2025, at UMD’s Smith School to address AI, international students, enrollment and workforce challenges, underscoring collaboration between higher education and industry to strengthen economic resilience and future business education.

The University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business is driving state policy and economic development through faculty-led, student-powered research partnerships with Maryland agencies, while providing experiential learning that equips students with analytical skills and real-world impact opportunities.