Doctoral students at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business faced many unknowns in 1966, but they helped launch a top 10 PhD program that has placed faculty members at more than 200 academic institutions worldwide. “It was a risk to come here,” Smith School professor emeritus Burt Leete said during a golden anniversary celebration with faculty, staff, students and alumni on May 12, 2017. “But the results have been positive.”