Those who run Ohio University’s Center for Entrepreneurship believe they prepare students to become tomorrow’s game changing entrepreneurs, akin to Mark Zuckerberg or Steve Jobs.
Now, they are a step closer to an award that will affirm those teachings.
The center has been named a finalist for the 2014 Outstanding Emerging Entrepreneurship Program, put on by the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
“As a finalist, for us this is a huge deal,” said Jessica Gardner, director of communications for OU’s College of Business. “(Winning) would mean a higher profile for the Center and the University.”
Representatives from the center will travel to Fort Worth, Texas in January to present their program at the USASBE national conference.
The USASBE contest focuses on up and coming programs across the country, and OU has been steadily developing its program over the last few years.
The center, founded in 2011, is the product of work from the College of Business and the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs.
“It is a collaboration on campus that I think has been missing,” said Jennifer Simon, director of OU’s Innovation Center. “I think it is increasing the entrepreneur culture, and the openness to entrepreneurship at this university among students.”
A certificate for entrepreneurship was established in the fall of 2012, and is open to all students at OU. For non-business majors, earning the certificate requires the completion of five courses, which focus on the business, marketing and management aspects of entrepreneurship.
“Really, the strength is in the engagement in the community, and giving students the opportunity to apply their learning,” Gardner said.
Other efforts include a guest lecture series, which has brought in various prominent speakers from the business world to share their experience and expertise.
The center is bringing Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit.com, to OU in February to speak.
“We have been recognized for the speed of which we put all of that into place,” said Luke Pittaway, director of the center.
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This article appeared in print under the headline "Center is a national finalist for 2014 award."
