About Our School
Our Name - Smith School of Business
On October 1, 2015, the School began a new chapter in its impressive history. In recognition of the generous gift of $50 million from Queen’s alumnus Stephen Smith, the School adopted a new name – Smith School of Business at Queen’s University.
This extraordinary gift, the largest gift ever made to a Canadian business school, enables the school to continue to transform business education, enhance the student experience, and attract the best and brightest talent from across Canada and around the world.
From establishing the first undergraduate business degree a century ago to creating ground-breaking programs and courses in emerging areas including artificial intelligence, fintech, analytics, cultural diversity, team dynamics, social impact and more, Smith is at the forefront of preparing graduates for the business marketplace. In addition to its rich tradition of academic and teaching excellence, Smith is known for delivering an outstanding learning and development experience. Small class sizes, personal attention, individual and team coaching, opportunities for specialization, and a deep commitment to student success characterize the Smith experience.
Stephen J.R. Smith
Stephen Smith, BSc(Eng)’72, LLD’17, is one of Canada’s leading entrepreneurs in the financial services industry. He is renowned for innovation in information technology and financial structuring in the Canadian mortgage industry. He earned a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Electrical Engineering from Queen’s University (’72) and a Master of Science (Economics) from the London School of Economics and Political Science. In 2017, he received an honorary degree from Queen's University. Mr. Smith is the co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer of First National Financial Corporation, Canada’s largest non-bank lender of residential and commercial mortgages. He is also chairman and co-owner of Canada Guaranty Mortgage Insurance, the country’s third-largest mortgage insurance provider. He also holds a variety of leadership positions in corporate and public governance. He serves as a director of The Empire Life Insurance Company, and is the Vice Chair of Metrolinx Inc., a board member at the C.D. Howe Institute and a member of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives. In 2012, Stephen was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for contributions to Canada and in 2019 he was inducted into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame.