University of Maryland News

Benefactor, Alumnus Robert H. Smith Dies

The University of Maryland is mourning the loss of Robert H. Smith—a 1950 graduate and the university's largest benefactor. Smith was a visionary builder-developer, best known for the vast Crystal City complex in Arlington, Va. 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.

At the University of Maryland, he was steadfast and enormously generous in his support of business education and the performing arts. In 1998, the university named its business school, the Robert H. Smith School of Business, after him. And the university's performing arts center was named in honor of Smith's wife, Clarice Smith. Both are testaments to Smith's belief in excellence and opportunity.

Smith died on Tuesday at Winchester Medical Center following a stroke.


For more information on Robert H. Smith:

• Remarks at the Memorial Service for Robert H. Smith, C.D. (Dan) Mote, Jr., President, University of Maryland
• Smith Community Mourns Loss of Benefactor Robert H. Smith, G. "Anand" Anandalingam, Dean, Robert H. Smith School of Business
• Remembering Robert H. Smith, Susie Farr, Executive Director, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
• Robert Smith, 81, dies; created Arlington's Crystal City [Washington Post]
• Robert H. Smith: Investing in Potential
• President Bush Recognizes Robert H. Smith For Philanthropy Supporting Humanities
• Robert H. Smith Speaks at Commencement
• About Robert H. Smith