When I was invited to deliver the baccalaureate address during Commencement 2004, I challenged the graduating class to give something back to their new alma mater. Soon after, I had to honestly ask myself: “What have YOU done for Millikin?” My answer to that question resulted in a wonderful journey to establish the Smith/Orlandini Book Award, given annually to a student with demonstrated financial need in the department of exercise science and sport. This ultimately cultivated my desire to establish a permanent fund honoring my family's connection with Millikin.
Accordingly, I have taken steps to endow the Smith/Orlandini Scholarship. Additional support for the endowment has come from alumni family members, who share my pride in knowing that we are helping assist future generations of Millikin students.