Florida Atlantic University has named Andrew Garrison as the new director of the Phil Smith Center for Free Enterprise in the College of Business.
Florida Atlantic University has named Andrew Garrison as the new director of the Phil Smith Center for Free Enterprise in the College of Business.
Garrison, an adjunct professor, graduated from FAU’s College of Business with a master’s degree in economics in 2021 and a bachelor’s degree in economics in 2020.
“I identify with the mission of the Phil Smith Center and welcome the chance to lead it in the coming year,” Garrison said. “I’m thankful to the faculty who nominated me and look forward to promoting the mission of the center within the university and beyond.”
The Phil Smith Center, named in honor of well-known South Florida business leader Phil Smith, advances thought leadership in business by supporting chaired professorships, research, and educational programs for faculty members and students. The center also hosts classes on economics, finance, and management, invites visiting faculty, organizes lecture series, as well as other activities that promote free enterprise and how those principles help affect growth and prosperity. The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) awarded the Phil Smith Center as an Oasis of Excellence in 2020.
Garrison’s upcoming plans for the center include forming a book club and inviting more speakers to the center for talks on economics.
“We are pleased to have Andrew Garrison step up as director of the Phil Smith Center,” said Daniel Gropper, Ph.D., dean of FAU’s College of Business. “We look forward to seeing Andrew build upon the success that Ana Albert had and continue to work with the FAU faculty and students to promote the understanding of the principles of economic freedom and free enterprise.”
Smith was president and CEO of Phil Smith Automotive Group and passed away in 2016. A 1969 FAU graduate, Smith was named a distinguished alumnus of the College of Business in 2015. He also served as a member of the FAU Foundation Board.
-FAU-
Latest News Desk
- FAU Receives Gift for Marta and Jim Batmasian Memorial PavilionFAU has announced a $500,000 gift from benefactors Marta and Jim Batmasian to name the Marta and Jim Batmasian Memorial Pavilion for the future Kurt and Marilyn Wallach Holocaust and Jewish Studies Building.
- FAU CARD Releases Free Water Safety Guide for Children with AutismDrowning is the top cause of unintentional death for children aged 1 to 4 in Florida, and autism increases the risk. FAU's CARD is offering a free guide to help protect children with autism from drowning.
- Fewer Parasites in Indian River Lagoon Signal Big Ecosystem ProblemsFAU Harbor Branch researchers used parasite data to assess the ecological health of Florida's Indian River Lagoon, which has suffered from pollution and algal blooms, damaging habitats like seagrass beds.
- From Students to Physicians: FAU Celebrates Graduating Class of 2025The Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine celebrated the nation's newest physicians and biomedical researchers during its commencement ceremony today at the Carole and Barry Kaye Auditorium.
- FAU's Innovation Awards Celebrate Ingenuity, EntrepreneurshipFlorida Atlantic University's recent Innovation Awards awarded more than $55,000 in prizes across four innovation and entrepreneurship competitions.
- BEPI Poll: Hispanic Economic Outlook Drops Amid Tariffs, Rising PricesAs households face increasing prices for goods and talk of new tariffs, Hispanic optimism in the economy waned in the first quarter of 2025, according to a poll from BEPI at Florida Atlantic University.