Fraud Buster Funds New Schilit Scholars Program  Companies guilty of accounting trickery don’t want Howard Schilit, MBA ’76, PhD ’81, anywhere near their books. The CEO of Schilit Forensics and co-author of “Financial Shenanigans” has a remarkable track record of cutting through corporate spin and telling investors what they really need to know before it’s too late.  Now the Smith alumnus is passing on his techniques to undergraduates at the school through the Schilit Scholars in Accounting program. 

Patrick Maggitti, PhD ’06, has always had a lifelong passion for learning — a passion he uses daily as dean of Villanova University’s School of Business.  “Having such high quality training made me a great scholar and teacher,” Maggitti says of his education from Smith. “Ultimately that’s what got me noticed to be dean at Villanova. The PhD Strategic Management program at Maryland is top five in the world. To have the opportunity to study under the world’s best management scholars was an incredible experience.” 

Marketing and sales executive Andrea Brody ’87 discovered her interest in consumer behavior during a Smith School class project. To complete the assignment Brody took her sister to a shopping mall and observed her reaction to in-store advertisements.

’60s John “Jack” McClean ’66 was honored by Providence Volunteer Fire Company for 50 years of continuous service. ’70s Eric Billings ’77 has retired as CEO of Arlington Asset Investment Corp. (formerly known as Friedman, Billings, Ramsey Group).  John Fitzgerald ’77 was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at LGS Innovations.

Research shows that creativity rises with ceiling height. Smith professor Oliver Schlake considered this when designing a new course that challenges participants to develop retail products for outdoor enthusiasts.