Grove City College’s Entrepreneurship program captured the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) Model Emerging Program Award in recognition of the College’s “bold and innovative” approach.
Yvonne English ’97, executive director of the Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation (E+I) at Grove City College, accepted the award at a gala dinner Jan. 13 during the association’s annual conference in Los Angeles.
“USASBE is regarded as the leading association in the field, and receiving the USASBE Model Emerging Program Award is a major accomplishment for the College,” English said. “The award has already generated greater awareness and interest in our Entrepreneurship program. I was mobbed after the gala with inquiries and requests from other schools and programs to see our center and collaborate with us. It’s an exciting time for Entrepreneurship at Grove City College.”
The USASBE advances entrepreneurship education through teaching, scholarship and practice. Their Excellence in Entrepreneurship Education Awards recognize colleges and universities that offer “bold and innovative programs that make an impact in the field of entrepreneurship education.” The Model Emerging Program Award distinguishes new or revised entrepreneurship programs that demonstrate “signs of innovation, boldness and student impact.”
English submitted the College’s application for the award in the fall, primarily because USASBE promised to provide feedback to all applicants regarding their respective applications and programs. However, USASBE selected Grove City College as a finalist for the award in November. The other finalist was The Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship at Florida State University, which is described by the university as the nation’s first interdisciplinary, stand-alone degree-granting school of entrepreneurship and is backed by a $100 million gift.
Each finalist was required to submit an additional packet of materials in December and to make a 15-minute presentation during the USASBE Emerging Program Award Competition session on Jan. 12 at the annual conference. Judges for this session were from West Virginia University, San Diego State University and North Carolina State University.
“It was daunting to present to such powerhouse programs, but I felt that our program and, more importantly, the accomplishments of our students and alumni, almost speak for themselves. I just told the audience and judges the very compelling story of the impact that our students and graduates have been making in the world and how we equip them to do so,” English said.
“I couldn’t be more thankful for Yvonne’s extraordinary effort in pursuit of this amazing recognition. Bringing our program to this point has been an exceptional team effort,” College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 said.
Grove City College’s Entrepreneurship program consists of the academic Department of Entrepreneurship, directed by Chair and Associate Professor Timothy J. Sweet ’85, and the Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation, guided by English. E+I seeks to educate and inspire principled, high-impact entrepreneurs whose innovations improve people’s lives and solve important problems.
Click here for more about Entrepreneurship at Grove City College.