Sources: Jeffrey Hornsby, 785-532-1301, jhornsby@k-state.edu;
Yar Ebadi, 785-532-7227, ebadi@k-state.edu
and Olivia Blanco, 785-532-2753, oblanco@k-state.edu
Related news: http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/feb11/hornsby21511.html
Website: http://www.k-state.edu/entrepreneurship/
News release prepared by: Emily Vietti, 785-532-2535, evietti@k-state.edu

Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011

GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS: ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER NABS 2011 EMERGING PROGRAM AWARD

MANHATTAN -- When it comes to promoting success, the Kansas State University Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship practices what it teaches.

The United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, or USASBE, has presented the K-State center with its 2011 Emerging Program Award.

"It's truly an honor to be named the emerging program by USASBE," said Jeffrey Hornsby, director of the Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship and Vanier Chair for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the College of Business Administration. "With so many excellent entrepreneurship education programs across the country, being recognized among our peer institutions is meaningful."

Hornsby said the recognition helps the center continue offering new and advanced programs to serve K-State students.

"Programs encouraging our students to create their own business opportunities are just one way that higher education boosts the Kansas economy," said Kirk Schulz, K-State president. "As we talk about K-State 2025, our road map to become a top 50 public research university, K-Staters have shown their commitment to supporting students with business ideas. The Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship is helping students turn their visions into reality."

The Emerging Program Award is one of six national awards given annually by the U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship to recognize quality entrepreneurship education and outreach programs. The award is given to entrepreneurship programs that have been in existence for three years or less. K-State's entrepreneurship program was launched in fall 2008.

"In the two and a half years since its inception, the K-State Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship has laid a solid foundation for entrepreneurship and venture creation on the K-State campus," said Yar Ebadi, dean of the College of Business Administration. "This award is a great accomplishment and supports our cross-campus approach to teaching and engagement of students in entrepreneurial thinking.

"This recognition wouldn’t have happened without the outstanding leadership and hard work of Jeff Hornsby, the center's director, and Chad Jackson, associate director of the center. We look forward to more success and national recognition as the center grows and involves more students in the entrepreneurial process."