Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship
Inspiring the
Entrepreneurial The Spirit of the Entrepreneur.
Spirit
You can see it in their eyes. The entrepreneur sees the world with eyes of opportunity, passion, innovation. They are visionaries and eternal optimists. Entrepreneurs think outside the box. They see the world, not only as it is, but as what it can be. They catch a glimpse of something that does not yet exist; they move toward something on the horizon that only they can see.
Determined. Undaunted. Resolute.
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Inspiring the Entrepreneurial Spirit Entrepreneurs are a different breed. And a vibrant society and competitive, growing economy depend on them. That’s why the Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship was founded 10 years ago at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University: To inspire the entrepreneurial spirit. The McNeely Center provides a total-immersion entrepreneurial experience for students of all majors. Since its founding, hundreds of students have benefited from its resources. Many launch ventures as undergraduates while others have gone on to establish new ventures after graduation. All who participate in the McNeely Center’s offerings hone an entrepreneurial outlook that serves them—and our economy—for life.
The Entrepreneur Scholars Program The Entrepreneur Scholars Program is the centerpiece of the McNeely Center. It is for our most ambitious student entrepreneurs. Candidates apply to participate in this two-year certificate program during their junior and senior years. Each year, a dozen students are chosen to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions through the following programs and activities: • A three-course sequence in entrepreneurship studies • Travel to cities in the United States and Asia to learn from successful entrepreneurs • Plan, development and launch of an entrepreneurial venture, individually or with a team • Entrepreneurial coaching and mentorship as well as access to a loan fund
Entrepreneur Scholars Outcomes At a glance • 105 students have completed the Entrepreneur Scholars program. • Entrepreneur Scholars have launched 25 business and social ventures, which have resulted in 37 on-campus student jobs and 28 student management positions for academic credit, generating over $160,000 in revenue annually. • Entrepreneur Scholars learn to write and develop business plans. They also develop skills in networking, public speaking, business communication and international travel.
Founder of 1771 (application development)
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We invite you to support the 10 for 10 challenge by endowing all or part of a scholarship for deserving young student entrepreneurs.
Scholarship Level
• 12 work as entrepreneurs • 10 work for small businesses • 30 work for corporations or large businesses • 3 are in graduate school • 10 work for non-profits or government
What students say about the Entrepreneur Scholars Program
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Gift Amount
Annual Award
Full Scholarship
$100,000
$4,500
Half Scholarship
$50,000
$2,250
Quarter Scholarship
$25,000
$1,125
Please note: • We will accept gifts in any combination of these amounts. • Commitments can be made in the form of a pledge payable up to five years.
It opened my eyes to seeing and seizing opportunities. It gave me business experience that I couldn’t have gotten elsewhere. The program is the primary reason why I continued to grow my business.
• Commitments of $50,000 or more come with a naming opportunity. • Commitments may be made to either the College of Saint Benedict or Saint John’s University. • Endowment gifts will be held by one school or the other and the annual draw will be pooled to support the Entrepreneur Scholars Program at the McNeely Center.
I’m a step ahead of my peers. I learned how to make a business plan attractive to investors.
It strengthened my analytical and critical-thinking skills.
—Ben McDermott ’11
As the McNeely Center celebrates its 10th anniversary, we are proud to launch a fundraising drive to endow 10 scholarships for the Entrepreneur Scholars Program.
Where are they now
It increased my self-confidence.
“Before my Entrepreneur Scholars experience, I would not have been as confident in my abilities, but after starting a business with other students, it’s a lot easier to dive in and begin building something new.”
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“Being an Entrepreneur Scholar offers students the opportunity to challenge themselves to go above and beyond. The people you meet, and the companies you tour open many doors to develop a career in entrepreneurship.”
—Lauren Kessler ’14 Co-owner of Joe Lake (apparel)
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