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School of Business > UPDATE > Fall 2001 > Article Distinguished Alumnus - Investor Irwin Smith Honored
"Irwin has achieved incredible success in his career and has contributed to his community in a way that benefits as many as possible, without thought of personal recognition," Nair said in presenting the award. "He is a role model for our students." After earning a BA in economics from the University of Wisconsin in 1962,
Smith joined the Bank of America in the trust department. He returned to
the UW to earn an MBA, majoring in Finance, Investment and Banking. After
graduating, he went back to the Bank of America as a security analyst and
went on to become a senior portfolio manager. In 1971, he left the Bank of
America to work as the deputy treasurer and chief investment officer for
the State of Connecticut. There, he managed the administration and
investment of the state's trust and general funds. Smith has supported the School of Business and UW–Madison with both his time and resources. He has been actively involved with the school's Applied Security Analysis Program (ASAP) since its inception 30 years ago, serving as a teacher, advisor and mentor for the program. ASAP allows students to apply what they've learned to actively manage more than $12 million. Graduates from the program have gone on to become leading money managers at companies around the world. Smith currently serves on the program's advisory board. "There is no better advocate for students than Irwin," said Associate Professor Mark Fedenia, director of ASAP. "He teaches, he mentors and he hires our students. He strives to unlock potential and he's always interested in sharing knowledge with anyone who wants to learn." More recently, Smith has been involved with the school's Weinert Center for Entrepreneurship and has helped connect entrepreneurship students with venture capital firms. In accepting the award, Smith said, "If I can reach one or two students and share with them something I've learned, then I feel I've made a difference." Smith, and his wife, Linda Smith, have provided tremendous financial support for the Fluno Center for Executive Education. In addition, they provided funding for the D.C. Smith Greenhouse, named in honor of Irwin Smith's father, Professor D.C. Smith. Irwin Smith also has been a major contributor to the construction of a new Sigma Chi fraternity house on campus. Irwin Smith's community service includes serving on the business school's Dean's Advisory Board and the UW Foundation Board of Directors. He also supports Christina's Smile, a foundation providing free dental care to children in need. The Smiths have two grown children, Stephen, who works with his father on venture capital opportunities, and Susan, who is pursuing a PhD in Russian history.
Since 1982, the Distinguished Business Alumnus Award has been given to recognize lifetime career accomplishments and outstanding public service. To be considered for the award, individuals must be graduates of the UW–Madison School of Business. Their professional accomplishments, leadership roles, contributions to their communities and involvement in public service are all considered in making the award decisions. If you would like to nominate an individual for the Distinguished Business Alumnus Award, please write to Wisconsin Business Alumni, 5151 Grainger Hall, 975 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706–1323 or call Assistant Dean of External Relations Pam Benjamin at 608/262–7426.
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