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the highly competitive landscape of
business education,” said Senior Vice
President and Provost Mary Ann
Rankin. “I have no doubt that he will
swiftly implement big ideas, while
strengthening academic connections
throughout Smith and across
campus. Konana’s contributions
will positively impact the school’s
fearless and innovative academic
reputation.”
Konana previously served
as chair of the Department of
Information, Risks, and Operations
Management at the McCombs
School of Business. He founded
the highly ranked M.S. in Business
Analytics and M.S. in Technology &
Management programs; revamped
the advisory council; raised money
from business partners; funded
several research workshops and
symposia; supported visiting faculty
for research collaboration; improved
teaching standards in various
programs; incentivized faculty to
offer specialized electives; and
focused on recruiting high-energy
and passionate staff.
Konana holds a Bachelor of
Technology degree from the
University of Mysore in India,
and an MBA and PhD from the
University of Arizona.
“As business education is rapidly
changing in the current social, political,
technological and market trends, I look
forward to all that can be accomplished
with the students, faculty and staff at the
University of Maryland.”
For LGBTQ+, Maryland is #1
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David Rosenstein ’20
Ivy Ruyun Feng, PhD ’20
Peyton Harrison, MBA ’20
Dan Yuan, CFA, MQF ’20
"I have seen so much growth within myself and have met great
classmates who have also enhanced my time at Smith. I've
learned so much from this program and cannot wait to apply my
skills in the real world."
–Sydney King ’19, Master of Information Systems ’20
"I learned to approach things with an open mind and understand
that the creation of knowledge is a forever ongoing process that
never comes to an end. To me, graduation embarks a new start
rather than an end."
–Ivy Ruyun Feng, PhD ’20
“Maryland Smith offered me more than I could have hoped for.
My favorite part of this journey is the aspirations I learned from
my classmates and our long-lasting personal connections.”
–Xiecheng (Dan) Yuan, CFA, Master of Quantitative Finance ’20
UMD is the top university in the country for LGBTQ+ students, according to rankings released in June
by Campus Pride and BestColleges. The annual state and national rankings weigh inclusivity, academic
support and affordability to determine which colleges provide the best support for LGBTQ+ students.
Maryland moved to the top spot from No. 5 last year.
—DEAN PRABHUDEV KONANA
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“Well, we did it,” cheered Smith’s David Rosenstein ’20 in cap
and gown, as he delivered a commencement address to 1,400
fellow graduates gathered virtually for their unusual ceremony.
“I'm not sure I or anyone watching saw killer wasps, UFOs or
global pandemics happening,” Peyton Harrison, MBA ’20, said
in his address, in a nod to the unusual times in which he and his
cohort were graduating. “And if you did, you may have just won
the oddest game of bingo ever created. But here we are.”
Rosenstein and Harrison were the dual centerpoints of Smith's
Virtual Spring Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 22.
Harrison called on graduates to think about their journeys,
from grade school to university, and all the life experiences in
between. “I want us to embrace being our unique selves and
use these experiences to provide novel solutions to simple and
complicated circumstances.”
Rosenstein, who graduated with a dual Bachelor of Science
degree in management and marketing, and is this year’s American
Marketing Association’s Student Marketer of the Year, said being
away from Van Munching Hall during the pandemic-era lockdown
was tough. “I miss Smith,” he said. But on graduation day, he was
ready to venture forth, with his memories, lessons and ideals.
“A classmate introduced me to a wonderful quote, ‘Life
expands or shrinks in proportion to one's courage,’” Harrison
said, drawing his speech to a close. “So whether you go back
to a familiar place or off to a shiny new job, let's remember our
significance by drawing back on our collective shared experiences
here at Smith and use these experiences as a source of courage—
and as a differentiator that emboldens us to lead fearlessly.”
Rosenstein, winding down his own speech, reminded graduates
to acknowledge those who helped them reach their milestones—
the parents, teachers, professors and mentors “who opened
doors” for them. “As you make strides in the world, I challenge you
to open a door for someone else—as often as you can.” /KJ/
Sydney King ’19, MSIS ’20
MSIS
innovation, William H. Seay Centennial Professor of Information
Management, and Distinguished
Teaching Professor at the University
of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School
of Business, where he has worked
for 25 years.
As associate dean, he helped
develop the focus and identity of
the McCombs School of Business,
emphasizing entrepreneurship and
innovation, and led the transition of
the entire business school faculty to
online synchronous teaching, among
other accomplishments in teaching
and research.
“Prabhudev Konana is perfectly
positioned to assume this role in
PHD
A
ward-winning professor,
researcher and innovation
leader Prabhudev Konana has
been named as the new dean of the
Robert H. Smith School of Business.
“I am thrilled to accept the role
as dean of the Robert H. Smith
School of Business,” said Konana,
who will begin his new role on Jan.
2. “As business education is rapidly
changing in the current social,
political, technological and market
trends, I look forward to all that can
be accomplished with the students,
faculty and staff at the University
of Maryland.”
Konana currently serves as the
associate dean of instructional
On Murder Hornets, UFOs,
Pandemics and Reaching Goals.
No Matter What.
MQF
Prabhudev Konana To Be Smith’s New Dean
rhsmith.umd.edu
rhsmith-editor@umd.edu
Photos provided by Sydney King and Ivy Feng
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