Smith School Quadruples Space for Student and Alumni ProgramsCollege Park, Md. – May 27, 2009 – The University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business today announced it has acquired new space in Baltimore at the University of Maryland BioPark. The Smith School is moving its existing location from the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s School of Nursing to expand MBA programs and partnerships, and to include dedicated space for alumni offerings in Baltimore.

“Today’s announcement further underscores the tremendous value the University System of Maryland (USM) brings to the state, both as a highly valued educational resource and as an engine of research and discovery,” said USM Chancellor William E. Kirwan. “Operating as a system, with a true statewide presence, USM is facilitating collaboration between the highly ranked programs of the Smith School of Business and the world-class research programs of University of Maryland to promote technology transfer and grow Maryland’s economy.”

“The Smith School is committed to Baltimore and partnering with leaders in its robust business community,” said G. “Anand” Anandalingam, dean of the Robert H. Smith School of Business. “Relocating in the BioPark puts us at the nexus of great research and innovation in Baltimore, and provides us great proximity to support Governor Martin O’Malley’s strategic initiatives as we continue to prepare business leaders to drive the state economy.”

The Smith School signed a long-term lease to occupy 14,127 square feet in BioPark Two of the biomedical research park, located at 801 W. Baltimore St. on the campus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore. The move will give the school more than four times the square footage it currently utilizes in the School of Nursing. The new space will include technology-equipped classrooms, team break-out rooms, staff offices, a conference room, a small computer lab and a lounge area. Construction is slated to begin in July.

This fall, the Smith School will expand its Thought Leadership@Smith Speaker Series to the UM BioPark. The breakfast series, which started successfully last fall in Washington, D.C., combines top Smith faculty delivering research-based presentations on timely topics with networking for alumni and business leaders. Smith will begin holding part-time MBA classes in the new space in January 2010. The new location will also position the Smith School for continued and expanded collaborations with University of Maryland's professional schools for joint education offerings. Currently, the Smith School offers dual degrees with the School of Law, School of Social Work and School of Medicine.

“The University is excited about the Smith School’s expansion in Baltimore,” said C. D. Mote, Jr., president of the University of Maryland, College Park. “We are an enthusiastic partner for Baltimore businesses, government and universities. This is a natural expansion of our existing collaborations with the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Given these linkages, I am confident that our highly ranked MBA program will thrive in its new Baltimore setting.”

“In addition to growing collaborative programs between the Smith School and University of Maryland's professional schools, the Smith School will become an important amenity to the bioscience companies located in the BioPark,” said James L. Hughes, vice president for Research and Development at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

The 10-acre BioPark will boast 1.8 million square feet of lab and office space in 12 buildings, plus garage parking and landscaped parks when completed.

About the Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research for the global economy. One of 13 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and part-time MBA, Executive MBA, MS in business, PhD, and non-degree executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its programs in learning locations on three continents including North America, Europe and Asia. More information about the Robert H. Smith School of Business can be found at www.rhsmith.umd.edu.

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Contact:
Carrie Handwerker
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