As the Fall semester began this week, FAU received a $5 million gift from Phil and Susan Smith to further our College of Business. The generosity of Phil and Susan will allow us to establish The Phil Smith Center for Free Enterprise, which will support the vision and strategic plan of the college.

The main tower at the College will also be named Phil Smith Hall in honor of the FAU alumnus. A native South Floridian, Phil graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance in 1969 and is president and CEO of Phil Smith Management, Inc., operating 11 automobile dealership locations, representing 25 franchises in Florida and North Carolina; as well as the Coral Ridge Country Club.

As a young married man in the 1960s, Phil commuted to FAU while successfully managing the demands of work and school to become a member of one of our earliest graduating classes. Through Phil and Susan’s support, future generations of working professionals with carry on that legacy at FAU. I thank them for enhancing our university and changing the lives of our students.