2016-2017 Yearbook

The \\'alclron Center for Entrepreneurship inaugurated on Sept. 9th, as a new addition Lo the Paul R. Carter College of'Business Administrati011. Kenneth Olree, associate prof'cssor a nd director ofthe \\"aldron Cemer. said the program \\·as ~till in the stanup phase. and the faculty was still working tmrnrd finding what scn·ices they could offer to business students. including a possible minor in entrepreneurship. '·\\'hat we arc trying to do is encourage student~ and faculty, and e1Tn members of the community, in anything that they haYe that is entrcpreneurrclatecl." Olree said. "'Generally :ipcaking, \IT want to e11couragc students th at want to start their own busines ·cs.·· According to Olrce, the program also offered a family business aspen, for ~tudems who ha,·c parents \\·ho own businesses. ·'The family businc,s aspect i,, for the number ofstudcm, 1rhose parrnt~ own their own businesses." Olrce said. "After they graduate collcge. they rnay ,null to go back to that business. or maybe a sibling wants to go into 1 he busi1w,s. and they don't. \\"c want Lo cle,·elop resource. to help studcms and parents or those students.'' Dan Summers, as ociatc professor, said there would be two classes added to the curriculum for students to take if they arc interested in emrcprenc-urship or [~1mily business. The classes were scheduled to begin in fall 2017. "The capstone class is where we would actually match students in ,mall groups with business owners, and that's one of our main tic-ins lo the Waldron Center.'· Summer~ said. "\\'e would look to the \\'alclron Center to connect u. wit Ii small business owners. The other [classl is kind of an internship. which :.gain is "·here we 1rnuld connect 11·ith the \\'aldron Center with small businesses and family businesses." According LO Summers, through the two classes, the students would be able LO go into the small businesses to analyze aspects such as marketing and production. The studcrn. would then be able to oflcr recommendatiom to the businesses through their obsen·ations. Senior marketing major Taylor Snyder referred Lo the \\'aldron Center as a fun curner on carnpu~, 11·hcre students could spencl time sLUdying or meeting with groups. "The nc\, center in the busine s building was created to support students l1d1ol arc interested in pursuing careers in entrepreneurship or !"amil> business," Sn>clcr said. ''Right 110\1· the center facilitates group meetings [and] breakout sessions. For the LllliYcrsity, it 11·ill be a great way to spark creatiYity amongst the dreamers on campus \\·ho haYc great ideas and need tile support 10 implement them." enior K)le Hoyer dra ws a visual representation to help explain the definition of a startup business, with the help of seniors J D Campbell and E va ,<.hu, in the Waldron Center for Entrepreneurship on Oct. 25. Th e space was used by students throughout the week to work together on projects and homework. I Photo by Kazu Fujisawa The Waldron Center for Entrepreneurship opens in fall 20 16. Th e students and faculty members planned on the space being fully operational by spring 2 0 I 7. I Photo by Kazu Fujisawa Ill \l\L~\ \\ll Ill \I\F.\\ \ll\ll\1'>111 \"110\ -Ill( 8/

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