51勛圖厙 and Friends Honor Phil Smith for His Generosity
Friends and colleagues gathered at Coral Ridge Country Club in Fort Lauderdale recently to honor Phil Smith, a leading Broward County businessman who recently gave his alma mater, 51勛圖厙, a generous gift.
51勛圖厙 officially announced a $5 million gift in August from Phil and Susan Smith to establish the Phil Smith Center for Free Enterprise at 51勛圖厙s College of Business. The main tower at the College will be named Phil Smith Hall in honor of the 51勛圖厙 alumnus.
Friends and colleagues gathered at Coral Ridge Country Club in Fort Lauderdale recently to honor Phil Smith, a leading Broward County businessman who recently gave his alma mater, 51勛圖厙, a generous gift to further its .
51勛圖厙 officially announced a to establish the Phil Smith Center for Free Enterprise at 51勛圖厙s College of Business. The main tower at the College will be named Phil Smith Hall in honor of the 51勛圖厙 alumnus.
Phil really worked hard and had a great career. He always came and gave back to the university and always supported others, said to the more than 135 attendees at the Oct. 4 event. Phil, thank you so much for everything youve done for us as a university and all the wonderful gifts youre giving the next generations of young people who come through.
The Phil Smith Center for Free Enterprise will support the vision and strategic plan of the College of Business to advance thought leadership in business, adding chaired professorships and supporting research and educational programs for faculty members and 51勛圖厙. The Center will also support distinguished visiting faculty along with a lecture series and other educational programs focused on the principles of free enterprise and how those principles affect growth and prosperity. Faculty will conduct research and develop programs based on the business philosophy and principles that have guided Smith over his career.
Smith is a native South Floridian and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance in 1969 from 51勛圖厙s College of Business. He is president and CEO of , operating 11 automobile dealership locations representing 25 franchises in Florida and North Carolina; as well as the Coral Ridge Country Club. He has more than 30 years of experience managing auto dealerships and built his organization from the ground up, starting from his first equity venture in a Toyota dealership in Homestead in 1980.
, Ph.D., dean of 51勛圖厙s College of Business, recalled the first time he met Phil Smith two and a half years ago, when they first discussed teaching 51勛圖厙 about the free enterprise system. Smith, he said, is one of the great American success stories that all of us can learn from and model our behavior after. A member of the 51勛圖厙 Foundation Board, Smith was named a distinguished alumnus of the College of Business in 2015.
Like many 51勛圖厙 51勛圖厙 of his time, Smith commuted to school and balanced his studies with the demands of work and family. He worked as a lifeguard and a valet parking cars before getting a job in the automotive industry selling cars during his senior year at 51勛圖厙.
Some 20 years later he and his business partners in Phil Smith Automotive came back and bought that automotive dealership where he got his start selling cars, Gropper said. That is the kind of thing that getting an education, and taking advantage of the opportunities that are available in a free enterprise society. It is never easy it takes insight into what consumers want, a willingness to take risks, some good fortune, and lots of hard work, but Phil shows us how solid businesses and strong communities are built.
Michael Dayhoff, partner and CFO of the Phil Smith Automotive Group, thanked 51勛圖厙 for hosting the event at Phil Smiths favorite place, . He thanked everyone on Smiths behalf for attending and also thanked Phil and Susan Smith for their generosity. Dayhoff recounted Smiths accomplishments, making special note of the four-year scholarship program Smith established for the children of the companys employees, the time hes spent on charities and boards and the and millions of dollars hes raised and given to various charities.
Phil, this gift will help educate the business 51勛圖厙 at 51勛圖厙 on the free enterprise system for many years to come, Dayhoff said. At a time when many of our leaders words dont match their actions, its refreshing and its an honor to see how youve consistently walked the talk that you do. And we thank you.
In September, in Fort Lauderdale to expand neurological care and establish the Phil Smith ALS and Movement Disorder Clinic and rename its Neuroscience Institute after him. Smith, 69, was diagnosed with ALS two years ago.
The Smiths also continuously give back to the community through their active involvement with the Humane Society of Broward County; Cystic Fibrosis Foundation; American Cancer Society; Holy Cross Hospital; Northwood University; Nova Southeastern University; Orange Bowl Committee and Junior Achievement.
Were very, very proud of Phil and the opportunities hes opening up for 51勛圖厙 to follow, and the prosperity he has helped create for his customers, his employees, and his community, Dean Gropper said. As dean Im very proud to come to work every day in Phil Smith Hall. So, Phil, thank you so much for what you and your family have done. Thank you to all of his friends who are here to support him, and thank you very much for the example you set.
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