Maryland Smith Donors Recognized at Inaugural Dean’s Circle Celebration

On April 28, the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business welcomed alums and supporters back to College Park for the inaugural celebration of the Dean’s Circle – a recognition society for individuals who have invested over $100,000 toward Maryland Smith in their lifetime.

The event, expected to be held annually, convened guests for a group dinner where they heard from members of the Maryland Smith community about how they have been positively impacted by the group’s contributions.

Currently, the Dean’s Circle has representation from 83 households across 16 states and one foreign country. Total giving from living members is roughly $42 million with 14 members contributing over $1 million to Maryland Smith and another 35 pledging over $250,000.

Bob Johnson ’80, chair of the Smith Advisory Board Philanthropy & Nominations Committee, served as emcee for the event.

“All of us in the room tonight have invested with our dollars and with our time, whether as a board member, a volunteer, a staff member, a student or a donor involved in the life of the school, and we thank you,” said Johnson. “Your investments of time, talent and treasure are felt far and wide and we can all learn from each other as we continue to support the school that means so much to us.”

Maryland Smith’s Rajshree Agarwal, Rudolph Lamone Chair of Strategy and Entrepreneurship and Director of the Ed Snider Center for Enterprise and Markets, conveyed the potential impact of the attendees’ contributions, not just for Maryland Smith, but to society as a whole.

“Thank you for all your good deeds in creating value in your business. And thank you in anticipation for your continued involvement as you pay it forward, for leaders who will be seated at some point in your seat today,” said Agarwal. “I stand here deeply grateful, on behalf of your Maryland Smith community, past, present and future.”

Closing out the event, Maryland Smith Dean Prabhudev Konana presented guests with turtle statuettes and macarons from SweetsbyCaroline, a Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship startup founded by Caroline Ta ’21. He thanked guests for their continued support and engagement in the Maryland Smith community.

“You are our biggest supporters and most loyal allies and we want to recognize your commitments, honoring your investments with stories of how you have impacted us,” said Konana. “No matter where you are from or how you got here, we are grateful to have your continued commitment to the Smith School.”