275 ORGANIZATIONS In fall 2022, the Waldron Center for Entrepreneurship and Family Business hosted its first Bison Pitch competition. The event was inspired by Dr. Allen Frazier, professor and dean of the College of Business Administration (COBA), and was meant to allow students an opportunity to pitch entrepreneurial ideas to business professionals for feedback. Thirteen groups of students presented their ideas to the crowd. This crowd included six COBA alumni who aided the students through the process of pitching their ideas by asking questions and providing guidance. “I think just any of these kinds of competitions have helped me to feel a lot more confident in my speaking,” senior Abby Long said. “I think it’s always helpful to do things where you get to apply what you’ve been learning.” Caleb Young, a recent Harding graduate and administrative assistant at the Waldron Center, spoke about the importance of Bison Pitch for students in their undergraduate business programs. He said it was a good opportunity for students to practice presenting in front of an audience, get feedback and connect with the crowd. Junior Gabe Mahon was one of the students that joined faculty, staff and family at the event. “I’m an education major, but I still find it interesting seeing my peers who are having all these ideas I didn’t know they had and going out there and pitching them,” Mahon said. Young anticipated 50 people, but nearly 125 people were in attendance. “The event went incredibly well,” Young said. “There were a few hiccups here and there but for the event never happening before, I thought it went as good as it could have gone.” Young hoped that Bison Pitch would continue to be an event that students remain involved with because of the benefits that it provided. Written by: Bailey Ridenour Let’s Pitch it, Bisons! The Waldron Center for Entrepreneurship and Family Business hosted a pitch competition.
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