The Smith School of Business and Team Maryland is
Changing the World, One Book at a Time
Smith Students, Alumni and Friends Raise Funds to Promote Youth Literacy in China

Shanghai, China & College Park, Md. - December 2, 2008 - Students and alumni from the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business are setting an example for social responsibility in China. The Smith Executive MBA program community in Shanghai successfully held the second annual Team Maryland Charity Fundraiser Dinner at the Shanghai Howard Johnson Zhangjiang Hotel on November 29. in support of The Library Project, a non-profit organization that provides books and libraries to schools and orphanages in remote or impoverished areas in China. This year, the event raised more than 60,000RMB which will be used to build approximately 10 libraries in Anhui province, Maryland's sister state.

Twenty-one companies, including platinum sponsors Black & Decker, Howard Johnson, The Children's Place, Under Armour, Jaguar, Land Rover, W.R. Grace, and Microsoft donated products and services that were auctioned off at the charity event.

"We are extremely thankful for the support from Team Maryland and all the sponsors and donors who made contributions," said Tom Stader, founder of The Library Project. "The fact that we raised 35 percent more this year than last goes to show that even in a difficult financial environment giving to people in need still brings out the best in all of us. We look forward to working with the Smith School on the third annual event next year."

The Library Project seeks to raise funds to support a goal of completing 110 libraries by the end of 2008. To date, the organization has established 79 elementary school libraries, provided more than 56,500 Chinese language children's books, and given approximately 17,700 children access to improved educational infrastructure. The Smith School's fundraiser benefits schools that will each receive a gift of 500 Chinese-language children's books, plus furniture or additional construction as needed.

The second annual Team Maryland Charity Fundraiser Dinner

Team Maryland participate the 2008 Shanghai Marathon in support of the Library Project

About THE LIBRARY PROJECT:
The Library Project donates books and libraries to under financed elementary schools in China. They believe education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty that exists in the developing world. As they see it, education is change.
Their goal is to develop The Library Project into an organization that helps empower millions of children every year through the gift of education. This goal will take an enormous amount of dedication, planning, and hard work. They need your help.

More information is available at www.library-project.org.

The Smith School in China
The Smith School is partnered with the University of International Business and Economics to deliver its leading executive degree and non-degree programs in China. For more information about the Smith School's China programs, visit:  http://www.rhsmith-umd.cn

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business
The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 13 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and part-time MBA, executive MBA, executive MS, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations on three continents - North America, Europe and Asia. More information about the Robert H. Smith School of Business can be found at www.rhsmith.umd.edu.