Robert H. Smith to Speak at Namesake Business School Commencement

College Park, Md. - May 6, 2008 - The University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business today announced that alumnus Robert H. Smith, former chairman of Charles E. Smith Cos. and naming donor to the school, will deliver the keynote speech at the May 23 graduation ceremony. The event will be held at 4 p.m. at the Comcast Center on the university's College Park campus.

Smith will address approximately 1,000 Smith School undergraduate, master and doctoral graduates about business ethics and the keys to success in business ? including his personal insights as a Washington region developer and active philanthropist.

"It is a great honor to have Mr. Smith speak. Over the years, I've had the privilege of hearing him on many occasions and each time he's left me with something new and meaningful to consider," said Howard Frank, dean of the Robert H. Smith School of Business. "I know he will be a great inspiration to students at this important crossroads in life."

In 1997, Smith gave $15 million to Maryland's business school, the largest gift the school has ever received. He continues to be the school's biggest supporter, helping launch new programs, increase the physical size of the school and, most recently, pledging $6 million to help boost doctoral student stipends by 45 percent in a new PhD program initiative.

Smith graduated from the university in 1950 with a degree in accounting. He is former chairman of Charles E. Smith Commercial Realty, a division of Vornado Realty Trust, and former chairman of Charles E. Smith Residential, a division of Archstone-Smith. Smith's family company is best known for developing and building the Crystal City complex in Northern Virginia.

He has been active in civic affairs, lending his energy and expertise to a variety of local, national and international organizations. His philanthropic efforts include the University of Maryland, as well as such organizations as the National Gallery of Art, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation (Monticello), Mount Vernon, Montpelier, Mayo Foundation and Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He is married to Clarice Smith, who attended the University of Maryland from 1952 to 1953, and for whom the university's performing arts center is named.

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 14 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and part-time MBA, executive MBA, executive MS, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations on three continents - North America, Europe and Asia.