Smith School Hosts Annual Doctoral Awards Banquet

Students, faculty, alumni and guests celebrated the accomplishments of Smiths PhD students at the Doctoral Awards Banquet on May 18, 2006. Dean Howard Frank, in his welcoming address, said that the Smith Schools PhD program was a key component of the schools success as a world-renowned research institution.

The event also marked the 10th anniversary of Larry Gordons role as director of the PhD program; he was honored with a special presentation and plaque. The program has grown under his tenure to include 110 students who go on to placements in prestigious schools both in the United States and around the world.

Robert Jolson 67 was in attendance with other members of the Jolson family to meet the winner of the award endowed by Marvin A. Jolson, PhD 69, a former professor of marketing at the Smith School. Gerald Stempler 53, who endowed a new PhD program award this year, was also in attendance.

Frank T. Paine Award for Academic Achievement
>> Ioannis Gamvros
>> Sweta Oza
>> Michael Pfarrer
>> Xiaomeng Zhang
Allan N. Nash Outstanding Doctoral Student
>> Tashfeen Sohail
Abraham Golub Memorial Dissertation Proposal Prize
>> Daliborka Stanojevic
Marvin A. Jolson Outstanding Marketing Doctoral Student Award
>> Debora Viana Thompson
Gerald and Deana Stempler Competition Award
>> Jason Kuruzovich

The Association of Doctoral Students also presented a series of whimsical awards to celebrate their year.

	A string trio from the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center entertained during the pre-dinner reception.
	Dean Howard Frank (r) commented on the important role Smiths PhD program plays in producing the research that marks Smith as a top-tier school. Here, he is with Robert Jolson.
	Larry Gordon (l), director of the doctoral program and Ernst & Young Alumni Professor of Managerial Accounting, presented Tashfeen Sohail the Allan N. Nash Outstanding Doctoral Student Award.
	Larry Gordon presents Ioannis Gamvros the Frank T. Paine Award for Academic Achievement.
	Shweta Oza received the Frank T. Paine Award for Academic Achievement, presented by Larry Gordon.
	Larry Gordon presents Daliborka Stanojevic the Abraham Golub Dissertation Proposal Prize.
	Roland Rust, Marvin A. Jolson Outstanding Marketing Doctoral Student Award to Debora Viana Thompson
	Jason Kuruzovich (center), with Gerald Stempler (r) and Larry Gordon, received the Gerald and Deana Stempler Competition Award.

> To learn more about Smith's doctoral program, which is ranked #25 in the world by Financial Times, visit: http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/doctoral/