Robin Anderson

Two Fine Young New Fellows

March 2, 2015

UP students Taylor Hendricks and Cole Preece have completed training to join the National Center for Engineering Pathways to Innovation (Epicenter) University Innovation Fellows, a national program that empowers student leaders to increase campus engagement with entrepreneurship, innovation, creativity, design thinking, and venture creation. They join 121 new Fellows in the current network, for a total number of 291 Fellows from 114 schools. Hendricks and Preece are supported by faculty sponsors Peter Rachor, Robin Anderson, and Sharon Jones to create new experiences for students at the University. They will join current UP Innovation Fellow Kevin Bastien.

For more information contact the Shiley School of Engineering at 7292 or stroheck@up.edu.

Student Kevin Bastien Accepted for National Fellowship

March 3, 2014

Kevin Bastien, a junior computer science major and Entrepreneur Scholar, has been accepted to the prestigious NCIIA/Epicenter Engineering University Innovation Fellows program, according to Peter Rachor, Franz Center. His application was supported by Rachor, Tammy Vandegrift, Sharon Jones, and Robin Anderson.

Bastien’s fellowship is seen as an opportunity for UP to have a member of this national group on campus in support of entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives within the Franz Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation. It will also support increased focus on entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation within the Pamplin School of Business, the Shiley School of Engineering, and campus-wide.

The University Innovation Fellows program is run by the National Center for Engineering Pathways to Innovation (Epicenter), a National Science Foundation-funded partnership between Stanford University and the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA). Learn more about the students’ accomplishments and activities here (http://tinyurl.com/luqtf2h). For more information contact Rachor at 7782 or rachor@up.edu.

New Name, Expanded Mission

September 23, 2013

Robert W. Franz Chair in Entrepreneurship and Executive Director Robin Anderson has announced the creation of the Franz Center for Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation. The center, named for long-time benefactors Elsie Franz Finley and regent Robert W. Franz, is an expansion of the award-winning Center for Entrepreneurship. The center’s directors are Pete Rooks, director for leadership; Peter Rachor, director for entrepreneurship; and Eric Anctil, director for innovation.

The Leadership program will focus on the concepts of ethical leadership and inviting others to join together in addressing vital needs and goals within the program’s relationships and communities. The Entrepreneurship program combines experiential-learning opportunities with a values-based education that emphasizes integrity, opportunity recognition, risk-taking and hard work. The Innovation program will provide co-and extra-curricular experiences that equip students with the skills to make their ideas reality. For more information e-mail franzcenter@up.edu or go to http://www.up.edu/cfe/.