The Baylor Entrepreneurship Program was named one of the top 25 programs by Princeton Review for the 12th consecutive year. Sarah Pinkerton | photographer
By Clara Lincicome | reporter
Baylor’s entrepreneurship program has been voted in the country’s top 10 for the 12th consecutive year.
Dr. David Scheaf, Assistant Professor of Economics, Entrepreneurship, and Business Innovation believes the program’s history is part of what sets Baylor’s entrepreneurship program apart from others across the country.
The history of the program dates back to the late 1970s when “Baylor was one of the first universities in the country to establish an entrepreneurship center”.
“Baylor was one of the country’s leaders who offered entrepreneurship, major and minor courses and offered these various programs in the business school,” said Scheaf. “It goes back to that story.”
Scheaf also pointed out that tradition played a role in the program’s success.
“I think tradition is a big factor here, a tradition of engaging in anything from entrepreneurship to academic activity,” said Scheaf. “That creates a foundation for where people are interested and where the faculty works. It draws resources into various initiatives.”
Outside of the classroom, the Baylor Entrepreneurship Program offers community outreach programs, brings in guest speakers, and works with the Waco community and business leaders in central Texas.
“They work in a coherent way to provide an enriching experience for our students so that they can learn something in class and then move on to something that is going on with our programs or initiatives and see them in action,” Scheaf said. “It’s easy to take for granted all of the activities associated with our department. It’s just not common.”
Scheaf said he could learn from his students, especially because the courses were the focus of engagement.
“I hope that they will bring their experience and knowledge to improve the teaching environment,” said Scheaf. “And usually when that happens and they’re engaged, and usually Baylor students, I learn a lot from them about things I’ve never thought of before.”
Sunnyvale sophomore, Landry Hunter, is new to the Entrepreneurship program and said she appreciated that the courses are collaborative and creative.
“I’ve always wanted to start my own business and this program is helping me excel in that way,” said Hunter. “I’m really looking forward to diving deeper and learning more about it so I can do it on a much larger scale.”
Scheaf said that Baylor students are really curious and smart. “You want to learn,” he said.
Woodlands student Nick Madincea, the CEO of the new Baylor Entrepreneurship Club, plans to offer further participation and interaction within the department.
“Our mission at Baylor Entrepreneurship Club is to enable our students to be involved in the entrepreneurial process,” said Madincea. “Whether it’s a commercial start-up, a nonprofit or a church.”
The Baylor Entrepreneurship Club was founded on three basic ideas to be a Christian, action-oriented and interdisciplinary organization.
“Our vision for this club is that it is much more than a club,” said Madincea. “Our vision is that as Baylor expands and strives to become the world’s first level 1 Christian institution, we can commercialize the technology we make here.”
Anyone can join the Baylor Entrepreneurship Club because “You value entrepreneurship regardless of your major,” said Madincea.
Students can connect with the club by following @baylor_bec on Instagram.
Regarding the future of Baylor entrepreneurship, “The program continues to seek ways in which we can directly apply the knowledge, skills and techniques we teach in the classroom, in a feasible way for real life application “Said Scheaf.
