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HUNTINGTON UNIV MAGAZINE

ERC hosts entrepreneur symposium

FOR RELEASE May 4, 2007

HUNTINGTON, IN—The Enterprise Resource Center at Huntington University hosted 140 Huntington North High School students on April 26 for an entrepreneur symposium. 

The focus of this symposium was to introduce the students to the fun side of entrepreneurship. The day was broken out into three sessions. These sessions included activities and creatively thinking about how to “upgrade” or “enhance” an MP3 player. One session focused on looking for problems, pains, unfilled wants or unmet needs in the marketplace. The students had opportunities to brainstorm ideas of a product or service. They then presented their ideas to a panel of judges. During the lunch session, the students heard from entrepreneur Brady Smekens of Smekens Educational Consulting. 

Facilitators for the day included

• Perry Collins, Huntington University and president of Roanoke Town Council

• Wil Kline, National City Bank

• Bill Zimmer, WA Zimmer and the Party Shop

• Steve Franks, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center

• Remound Wright, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center

• Chris Pelz, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center

Judges for the day included

• Darlene Stanley, Johnson Junction

• Dick Poole, retired

• Carol Pugh, Huntington County United Economic Development Corporation

• John Niederman, Pathfinder Services

• Kathy Elmore, The Country Post

• Rick Beemer, Parkview Huntington Hospital

• Dave Mettler, Mettler Insurance

• Cindy Willour, IMCO

• Ned Kiser, Asian Access

• Jeremy Rufener, Huntington University

• Tammy Butts, OCRA

• Bob Brown, Huntington County Chamber of Commerce

 The event was sponsored by HCUED Venture Works, Northeast Indiana Innovation Center, Huntington University and the Huntington County Commissioners. Funding was provided by grants from Duke Energy and the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA). Additional funding was provided by various businesses within Huntington County.

The winner for the Best Business Concept and Presentation was

PinPointer Personal

• Justin Barber

• Matt Dunn

• John Sober

• Grant Pegan

Second place was

Peanut Butter

• Holly Burton

• Ashley Green

• Brent Lederle

• Nathan Rudicel

• Adam Wisialowski

Third place was

A.N.D.  (Automated Note-taking Device)

• Evan Bonifas

• Caty Eisenhauer

• Gina Krauter

• Amanda Pugh

• Bradley Vogeleman

Best Idea Concept was 

GPS Mower

• Nicholas Alles

• Hannah Downey

• Anthony Hull

• Ashlee Murrill

• Jess Souers

Outstanding Students were

• Nathan Rudicel

• Marc Reust

• Alicia Aldridge

• Hannah Downey

• Peter Berghoff

• Alex Bush

Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S.News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington University is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in northeast Indiana. The University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).

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