University of Maryland Announces Two Gifts Totaling $60 Million

Left to Right: A. James Clark, Robert H. Smith, Gov. Ehrlich, and Dr. Mote (at podium)

University of Maryland President C.D. Mote Jr. today announced two gifts to the university totaling $60 million, calling them the "largest philanthropic investments ever made to a Maryland public institution."

The gifts, $30 million from A. James Clark, B.S. 1950 and $30 million from Robert H. Smith, B.S. 1950, will support quality and access, the university's two greatest needs, Mote said. Clark and Smith, both members of the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, also chair the Leadership Phase of the university's fund-raising campaign, which is still in the planning stages.

A. James Clark, '50 Watch A. James Clark's Speech

Clark's gift will provide scholarship support for the A. James Clark School of Engineering, to which Clark has previously contributed in a very substantial way. Smith's gift will support students, faculty and academic programs in the Robert H. Smith School of Business and the Clar ice Smith Performing Arts Center. Smith and his wife Clarice have been strong supporters of business, performing arts and other programs at the university.

"I am extremely proud to be able to provide an opportunity for talented young people, who have so much to offer our state, to benefit from the first-rate education at the University of Maryland," said Clark, a civil engineering graduate. "I know from personal experience the difference that a scholarship can make, and I expect that we will reap great benefits from the investments we make in students who will become leaders across the state and nation."

Robert H. Smith, '50 Watch Robert H. Smith's Speech

Smith, an accounting graduate, says the University of Maryland's commitment to quality has drawn his support and should be a magnet to attract others. "With these gifts today, we open the door to invite others to see the vision of how together we can build a great university," he said.

Mote announced the gifts and introduced the two benefactors in a news conference in the State House in Annapolis. Mote also introduced Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich and praised him for his support for the university, including a proposed budget increase in the coming year and construction funding for a new Biosciences Research Building.

"We are entering a new era in higher education funding," Mote said. "We have long relied on and received generous state support, but that is no longer enough to pay for the level of quality the state of Maryland needs and deserves. To continue to move forward, and to ensure that all qualified students have the opportunity to get a high quality education regardless of financial condition, we must have a solid philanthropic base as well.

President Mote and Gov. Ehrlich

"Jim Clark and Bob Smith have today taken on a huge leadership role with these unprecedented, pace-setting gifts and with their commitment to quality and access for future generations of Maryland students," Mote said.

Clark is chairman and CEO of Clark Enterprises, Inc., a holding company for various enterprises, including Clark Construction, one of the nation's largest construction firms, responsible for some of the most visible architectural landmarks in the country including the National Museum of the American Indian and Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Clark Construction has also erected many of the buildings at the University of Maryland over the years and is currently at work on the Kim Engineering Building. A strong supporter of education, Clark has served as a member of the University of Maryland Board of Regents and a trustee of The Johns Hopkins University.

Smith is chairman of Charles E. Smith Commercial Realty, a division of Vornado Realty Trust, and chairman of Charles E. Smith Residential, a division of Archstone-Smith, both REITs listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Smith was the visionary who saw the potential and worked to create what is today the vibrant mixed use project, Crystal City. A man of broad interests, Smith has also served as president and trustee of the National Gallery of Art and chairman of the Board of Governors of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Robert H. Smith School of Business Dean Howard Frank and Gov. Ehrlich

Mote noted that the University of Maryland has made steady and rapid progress in fulfilling its responsibility to the state for academic excellence and economic development. He cited top-ranked academic programs (70 ranked in the top 25 nationally by U.S. News and World Report), sponsored research and outreach programs (more than $350 million last year, mostly from federal grants), and steady success in attracting and keeping Maryland's best and brightest students and keeping them in the state.

"People like Jim Clark and Bob Smith ensure that this vital work for the state of Maryland will continue," Mote said. "These gifts are far more valuable than even the considerable number of dollars involved. They are setting a wonderful example that will reward the state and the university many times over in the years to come."

A. James Clark and Robert H. Smith

Mote said that as co-chairs of the Leadership Phase of the campaign that will be publicly launched in Fall 2006, Clark and Smith will work with him to secure additional lead gifts, building on the university's growing success in attracting philanthropic support. Last year Maryland enjoyed record-setting fund raising success, receiving $86 million in new gifts and pledges. The university also bested the total number of donors in a single year with a record 42 thousand alumni and friends contributing.

University officials and the University of Maryland College Park Foundation are now in the planning process to establish goals and strategies for the new campaign.