Ed G. Smith shares stories of his time as a student at the University of Missouri–St. Louis during a dedication ceremony for the Ed G. Smith College of Business on Wednesday afternoon. (Photos by Derik Holtmann)

The newly named Ed G. Smith College of Business – the first named college in University of Missouri–St. Louis history – was officially dedicated on a picturesque Wednesday afternoon at a ceremony outside of Anheuser-Busch Hall on UMSL’s North Campus.

Smith, who earned both his bachelor’s and master’s in business from UMSL and is the founder and CEO of American Direct Marketing Resources, wanted to help ensure that his alma mater was positioned to remain a driving force for transforming lives in the St. Louis region and beyond.

“It is an exciting time for everyone at the College of Business and for UMSL,” Smith said as he addressed the packed crowd of more than 200 people. “UMSL and the people of the business college provided me with so much, and I am grateful to be able to give back. And I am humbled and deeply honored by the naming of the Ed G. Smith College of Business.”

(Front row, from left) Ed G. Smith, College of Business Dean Shu Schiller and President of the Dean’s Student Advisory Board Alex Paubel listen to remarks from Chancellor Kristin Sobolik.

The new name for the College of Business was affirmed by the University of Missouri Board of Curators on June 26.

Curator Lyda Krewson, an UMSL alum, represented the board at Wednesday’s ceremony and was joined by faculty and staff members from the College of Business, several members of Smith’s family, and a couple dozen of his current employees.

A native St. Louisan, Smith was the first in his family to enroll in college when he started at UMSL in 1966. He had initially intended to attend UMSL for a few years, then transfer to another school to pursue engineering. One of his initial classes, suggested by his advisor, Maxine Stokes, was a five-credit-hour Chemistry 11 class.

“I must thank Dr. David Garin, who taught the Chem 11 course,” Smith said. “Because he made the course so difficult, it did not take me long to realize that I should change my major to business! Without Dr. Garin, who knows where I would be today? So, thank you, Dr. Garin!”

After the laughter in the crowd died down, Smith finished his story.

University of Missouri–St. Louis Chancellor Kristin Sobolik presents Ed G. Smith with a framed pennant bearing his name during a dedication ceremony for the Ed G. Smith College of Business.

“Now, for those wondering, I did pass Chem 11, by the way,” said Smith, who then looked at UMSL Chancellor Kristin Sobolik sitting in the front row. “But through an agreement with Chancellor Sobolik, my Chem 11 grade has now been redacted. Isn’t that right, Chancellor?”

Smith, speaking more seriously, noted that his career path started with a part-time job he landed from a posting on the job placement board in the administration building, a role that paid $2 per hour – a jump up from the $1.25 he was making – and offered him 20 hours per week.

“That pivotal moment was the foundation for my future successes and became my entry into the world of direct marketing, where I have worked now for more than 55 years,” Smith said. “And it happened simply because UMSL was here for me to attend. I can’t overstate that. UMSL just being here changes peoples’ lives every day.”

(From left) Alex Paubel, president of the Dean’s Student Advisory Board, Ed G. Smith College of Business Dean Shu Schiller; Ed G. Smith, UMSL alum and founder of American Direct Marketing Resources; UMSL Chancellor Kristin Sobolik; Lyda Krewson, University of Missouri Board of Curators; and UMSL Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Steven J. Berberich at the dedication of the Ed G. Smith College of Business.

Smith founded American Direct Marketing Resources in 1983 and grew his company into a nationally respected, full-service direct response advertising agency serving top clients in consumer marketing and customer acquisition through hard work and innovation. Those are qualities his gift to UMSL will help instill in future generations of graduates.

With Smith’s generous support, UMSL will deepen its impact and accelerate outcomes for students by:

• Increasing student scholarships and access to higher education;
• Expanding student success, experiential education and study abroad opportunities;
• Bolstering workforce, instructional excellence and community innovation.

The university has played a leading role in developing the region’s workforce since its founding. UMSL’s College of Business has graduated more than 30,000 alumni, more than 80% of whom live and work in the St. Louis area.

“Ed, your personal investment and thought leadership has strengthened UMSL and elevated our position, and especially the College of Business, as a leader in our region and beyond,” Sobolik said during the dedication. “We are honored for the College to bear your name as you represent so many of UMSL’s students and alumni past, present and future.”

Ed G. Smith talks with members of the Dean’s Student Advisory Board. Counterclockwise, from left: Alex Paubel, Clarissa West, Yarely Zamacona, Jalen Walker-Wright and Anisha Inaganti.

After opening remarks by Alex Paubel, a senior accounting major in UMSL’s Accelerated Master’s program and president of the Dean’s Student Advisory Board, College of Business Dean Shu Schiller was next at the dais.

“The naming elevates our visibility and boosts our reputation by signaling excellence,” Schiller said. “This opportunity will expand our ability to provide career readiness for our students and fund scholarships for graduate students and professional certifications, impacting hundreds of students each year. The efforts will substantially increase the impact on student recruitment and retention. Simply put, we can have stronger outcomes and do more for more students.

“We are so appreciative of Mr. Smith for making this investment in UMSL Business. We are the professional workforce driver of the region. By design, this investment will inspire fellow UMSL alums to join Mr. Smith in ensuring that more students can earn an UMSL degree and pursue their dreams.”

Under Schiller’s direction, the College of Business is continuing to make an impact not just locally, but globally, too. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business recently reaffirmed UMSL’s dual accreditation for all business and accounting programs, both undergraduate and graduate; fewer than 2% of business schools worldwide maintain dual accreditation in business and accounting. Among recent initiatives, the College of Business opened the Supply Chain Analytics Center of Excellence earlier this month.

Schiller invited all of the UMSL Business alumni in attendance to stand up.

“It is my pleasure to officially welcome you as alumni of the Ed G. Smith College of Business,” she said. “Your degree and connection to the College will forever be linked to a school recognized for distinction, purpose and lasting influence.”