Expert AvailableWake Forest University faculty offer entrepreneurship lessons to liberal arts undergraduate and graduate students Newswise — (Winston-Salem, N.C., October 18, 2012) With the uncertain economy and high unemployment figures, teaching students how to make their own job opportunities is more valuable than ever. The Small Business Administration’s Advocacy Office says small firms account for 64 percent of net new private sector jobs, and about half of private sector employment figures – making them an economic driver.
Wake Forest University’s Center for Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship fosters an entrepreneurial spirit in a liberal arts setting and teaches real-world business skills to undergraduates as well as graduate students in professional schools. The school’s entrepreneurship and social enterprise minor is both the largest and fastest-growing on campus, open to students of all majors. The program has won recognition from a variety of sources.
“Not restricting entrepreneurship to a business school setting is one of things that sets Wake Forest apart,” said Polly Black, the center’s director. “The high-touch model Wake Forest has gives students easy access to faculty. We teach the students to learn by doing, and to apply the skills they learn in the classroom to new ventures. Our faculty members not only teach the subjects academically, but mentor students to grow their ideas and persevere.”
Polly Black, director of the Center can discuss:
• How entrepreneurship and liberals arts work together.
• Why experiential learning helps students learn from failure, find resources, invent products/organizations/solutions and ultimately create opportunities.
• How one class at Wake Forest has helped students create legacy businesses like:
o Wake Wash, a student-run laundry service that started five years ago with $40 and a class assignment. Now its third generation of owners has bought the business. www.wakewashwfu.com
o Campus Cakes, a student-run special occasion business that delivers customizable cakes and other treats to students. www.campuscakes.net/wfu/
• How new entrepreneurial ventures are taking off:
o Wrought Iron Productions, a video production company that provides services to Wake Forest departments, organizations and events. The company uses student videographers from the Documentary Film Program and teaches them how to run a video production company. www.wroughtironproductions.wfu.edu o Deacon Vend, which has launched this semester with one vending machine that offers pencils, index cards, pens and other office supplies inside the Z. Smith Reynolds Library. The company plans to expand to other locations.
• Why social entrepreneurship is trending.
About Wake Forest University:Wake Forest University combines the best traditions of a small liberal arts college with the resources of a large research university. Founded in 1834, the school is located in Winston-Salem, N.C. The University’s graduate school of arts and sciences, divinity school, and nationally ranked schools of law, medicine and business enrich our intellectual environment. Learn more about Wake Forest University at www.wfu.edu.
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