Smith is definitely going to be one of the top candidates. He has a nice mix of athletics, being a former Sioux football player, and academics, as the dean of Aerospace. He would do well at bringing in money to the foundation, as well.
The questions I have regarding Smith are in the area of research dollars and his standing with others at UND. Does anyone have any insight into how he has been connected in obtaining research dollars? I know that Aerospace did receive some money from the Center of Excellence program. Since he is the Dean at Aerospace, I'm assuming that he has a positive relationship with the academia at UND?
I don't think that having a UND connection is all that is needed, but I also think that it shouldn't be a strike against anyone either. I too would like someone who would be UND for a long term and not use it as a stepping stone. In that case having a UND connection would be a positive.