Michael S. Smith, BSBA '61
& Larry E. Smith, BSBA '65
Alumni donors Michael and Larry Smith have a remarkable legacy of generosity and commitment to their alma mater. Their philanthropy extends from funding scholarships to elevating Suffolk Athletics and strengthening the Suffolk community. The brothers started the Brookfield Insurance Agency in 1962, which quickly grew from a Brockton storefront to seven offices in Massachusetts before they sold it 18 years later. Larry Smith attributes his professional accomplishments to his preparation at Suffolk and that he and his brother strive to contribute to the Suffolk community, saying that their family taught them the importance of successful people sharing their success with others. Larry Smith is also currently a member of the University’s board of trustees, yet another another act of service and demonstration of just how much Suffolk University means to him and his brother.
A Lasting Legacy
The continued philanthropy of Michael and Larry Smith is woven into the fiber of the Suffolk University Campus. Their involvement has founded scholarships, subsidized travel and uniform costs for Suffolk athletes, supported the 20 Somerset academic building, and both the Smith Residence Hall and Michael & Larry Smith Fitness Center were named in their honor. “The Smith brothers are having a transformative impact on Suffolk,” said Acting President Marisa Kelly. “The new fitness center not only promotes the health and wellness of our students, faculty, and staff, but it promotes the community as well. We are grateful for the ongoing generosity of the Smith family.”
Athletics Advancement
“Athletics teaches students leadership, respect, and honor,” said Michael Smith, a longtime fan of Suffolk athletics. “Sports build character, and they build pride in the University. Suffolk has great student-athletes, and we want to help them attract even more. We’re proud to support Suffolk as it brings its athletics programs to higher levels.”
Larry Smith is a former Rams basketball player, and the two brothers are members of the Suffolk University Athletics Hall of Fame. Their past gifts enabled the creation of the Michael S. Smith & Larry E. Smith Fitness Center on campus,
“Suffolk University will be more successful from a philanthropic perspective because of the leadership of Larry and Michael Smith,” said Bob Lamb, chairman of the Suffolk University Board of Trustees. “This major gift sends a strong signal of confidence in the future of this University to others who care deeply about Suffolk. Michael and Larry’s desire to make a difference at an institution that made a difference in their own lives is what Suffolk is all about, and we are exceedingly grateful for their generosity.”