Press Releases

GRANVILLE -- Ask students what's new these days on the Denison University campus, and what you hear may surprise you - it's innovation itself. Thanks to a grant from The Burton D. Morgan Foundation, Denison is launching a new program on the Liberal Arts and Entrepreneurship Education, and as a result innovation is becoming a hot topic on campus. The new program is kicking off with a week-long workshop on "Entrepreneurial Endeavors."

The workshop, an intensive introduction to theory and practice of entrepreneurship, is coordinated by Dr. David Przybyla of Denison's Organizational Studies Program and Psychology Department. The program draws on Denison's alumni body to feature graduates who have gone on to careers in innovation. Alumni, faculty and other professionals will lead sessions on topics ranging from "Finding an Idea Worthy of Your Passion" and "Understanding Constraints on Innovation" to "Your Personal Entrepreneurial Vision" and "A Liberal Arts Business Career."

"We are grateful to the Burton D. Morgan Foundation for the opportunity to offer this program, and we're pleased to invite alumni to take part," said Dale T. Knobel, Denison's president. "Denison has produced a multitude of successful entrepreneurs, because a liberal arts education instills creativity, resourcefulness and many other skills that contribute to innovation."

Visiting speakers include Miles Munz '02, founder and CEO of InterviewStream; Bill Lennon '87, president of Lokring Technology Corp.; Louann Hofheins Cummings, '75, professor of business at the University of Findlay; Nancy Petro '70, principal, Strategic Planning; Thad Winston,'86, founder of Truemartketinggenious.com; Irv Harlamart '52, judge, author and entrepreneur; and Dan Finkelman, principal, Mulberry Street Partners.

The "Entrepreneurial Endeavors" workshop is just the first in a number of initiatives that will be sponsored by the grant from The Burton D. Morgan Foundation. The program, which will be fostered by several other departments at Denison such as the Career Services Office and the Alford Service Learning Center, also provides for student internships and ventures, as well as innovation-related speakers, curriculum support and summer research. A second week-long workshop will be offered during the summer, focusing on not-for-profit entrepreneurship.

The grant sponsoring Denison's new program requires that the University seek one-to-one matching funds. Several gifts from alumni and parents have already been made in support of the match. The Program in Liberal Arts and Entrepreneurship Education is housed in Denison's Burton D. Morgan Center, a gateway building that was a gift to Denison from the Foundation in 2003.

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