FA L L & W I N T E R E D I T I O N
VOL. 1
NEWSLETTER Client Spotlight: WHAT’S INSIDE: Abas Sabouni An in depth look at the Kirby Scholar Program Page 4
Lt. Col. Allen West featured as Kirby Lecture Series Guest Speaker Page 6
First Annual Kirby Retreat held for Staff, Students, & Partners of the APKC Page 3
Making an impact on the world through international entrepreneurship Page 7
Kirby Q&A: Michelle Lehman, Business Scholar Page 5
APKCFEE NEWSLETTER
Written by Michelle Lehman
Dr. Abas Sabouni, joined the Department of Electrical Engineering and Physics at Wilkes University in 2013. Dr. Sabouni has been diligently working on detecting breast cancer using Microwave Tomography. Current techniques for detecting breast cancer include: X-Ray, Mammography, MRI, and Ultrasound. Although these techniques can be effective; they also have sensitivity and specificity errors in addition to other concerns. Breast Cancer Detection using Microwave Tomography is an innovative and proprietary application of an existing technology that can potentially revolutionize the effectiveness, methodology and cost of breast cancer detection. Tomography currently exists, and is a technique for displaying a representation of a cross section through a human body or other solid objects using electromagnetic radiation. Dr. Sabouni’s innovations are making this technique more efficient and effective by utilizing an elliptically positioned antenna array to scan the breast tissue.
Vol. 1
Photo provided by Michelle Lehman
Incremental vertical scans are done by elliptically positioned antennas and the incremental vertical scans amount to a virtual “slice” of the breast tissue density and water content related to information at a given height. The software used, captures all of the “slices” and creates a 3D cross sectional image of the breast tissue. That 3D image can allow physicians to detect small lesions and other abnormalities on the breast. Patient survivability rates are dramatically enhanced with early detection. The Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship is working with Dr. Sabouni to create a business plan, market his innovations, and obtain finances to develop a prototype and other operating activities.
2016/17 Fall & Winter Edition
APKCFEE NEWSLETTER Vol. 1
2016/17 Fall & Winter Edition
A Letter From The Director Written by Dr. Rodney Ridley
It seems like yesterday, but in reality it’s been two short, yet eventful years since I was given the honor of fulfilling the original mission of Allan P. Kirby, Jr. when he endowed the Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at Wilkes University. I have always considered it an honor and a challenge to move the Center forward, while preserving and expanding the great work of my predecessors. When I started as Executive Director, I came into the role with a specific vision. The vision included new items, as well as items I had been working on in my previous roles at the University. The Board of Managers agreed to allow me to incorporate them into the Center activities, which helped me to fulfill the objectives of teaching and practicing free enterprise and entrepreneurship. The “new activities,” along with the valued existing activities were purposefully put into three focus areas: 1) Entrepreneurial Education, 2) Business Development, and 3) Industry and Community Outreach. Fortunately, the expanded vision for the Kirby Center coupled well with the new direction for Wilkes University. Dr. Leahy coined it best when he said “Our goal is simple: to have the same relative impact on our community as the great research universities of the country have on their communities. The ‘new’ Kirby Center will enable us to accomplish that goal.” In these first two years, we have worked with the APKCFEE staff, scholars, Board of Managers, and partners to lay a foundation to support the Center’s enhanced vision. I do believe we have accomplished a tremendous amount to date and are much further along than anyone could have foreseen. For example, we have been able to become an effective catalyst for the formation of a regional entrepreneurial ecosystem designed to allow new and existing business entities to grow and flourish in NEPA. We have also created new and precedential partnerships that have expanded the Center’s capabilities and effectiveness. In addition, we have developed a tremendous mentor network and we opened Wilkes’ first business incubator, the Allan P. Kirby Enterprise Center at Wilkes University. In its relatively brief history, we have served in some capacity
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more than 60 business enterprises, working with clients with over 15 patented or patent pending innovations. By far, the most important innovation we have made is the Kirby Scholars Program. The program embodies all the aspects and aspirations of the enhanced vision of the Center. It has created a distinctive and impactful experiential learning opportunity for several of Wilkes University’s best and brightest students, while enabling the APKCFEE to provide hands-on mentored support for our clients. Moving forward, it is necessary to build a model for longterm sustainability of our enhanced activities. In order to do so, we are working with a group of local leaders to create a plan and execute it. We have to continue to make sure our clients are given outstanding service and ensure that our Scholars program continues to grow. Furthermore, we are working on a regional collaborative to help increase and support regional military veterans’ entree in entrepreneurial activities. Finally, we will continue to be focused on our founding principles of spreading the word, enabling the practice, providing the experiential education and “real-world“ training, along with championing the cause of free enterprise and entrepreneurship regionally, nationally, and internationally as a means to positively affect the world around us. 2
APKCFEE NEWSLETTER Vol. 1
2016/17 Fall & Winter Edition
First Annual Kirby Staff, Student, & Partner Retreat Written by Annelise Przywara
Prior to the start of the fall 2016 semester, the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (APKCFEE) hosted its first annual staff, student, and partner retreat. On Friday, Aug. 19 members and partners of the center gathered in the Highland Garden Meeting Room at the Hilton Garden Inn in Wilkes-Barre to share their vision and discuss goals set for the 2016-2017 academic year. The retreat began with breakfast, followed by a recap of the past year and current happenings presented by Dr. Rodney Ridley, Executive Director, Charles Pierce, Assistant Director, and Jerry Ephault, Executive in Residence. Dr. Blake Mackesy of Wilkes University also attended the retreat and conducted a team-building activity that enabled scholars and staff to learn more about the personalities, communication preferences, and work styles of their peers and colleagues. During the exercise, everyone was first instructed to take a survey in which they entered a number between one and five in order to indicate the traits that most fit their personality and work ethic. After completing the survey, their totals indicated whether each person fell into the otter, golden retriever, lion, or beaver category. Each animal represented a particular type of personality with a specific set of characteristics, making for a fun way to categorize. “I think the best insight gain at the retreat was recognizing how we break down into the four animal characteristic groups,” said Charles Pierce, Assistant Director. “I had no idea how each person would fit and certainly was surprised at some of the results. The exercise also allowed me to
see how to best manage and understand the students and staff when it comes to differing viewpoints,” he said. In addition, the Scholars found the team building exercise to be one of the most beneficial components of the retreat. Cassidy Clement, Kirby junior business scholar, said that the personality type exercise was the most beneficial aspect of the retreat in her opinion. “It was important and helpful because we were able to get to know new scholars and the staff in a fun, yet effective way,” she said. The group enjoyed a catered lunch while Dr. Ridley, Mr. Pierce, and Mr. Ephault discussed the mentor program and the partners that would be arriving. Shortly after lunch, the group welcomed several partners and proceeded to speak about current happenings and plans for the upcoming year. The retreat concluded with each scholar presenting successfully completed projects, as well as projects to be completed during the fall and spring semesters. “The inaugural retreat allowed all of the scholars, mentor, and partners to see exactly what the APKCFEE is all about,” said Pierce. “More than anything, it was a chance for the partners and mentors to meet our scholars and vice versa. The retreat provided downtime to get to know one another and to make sure we were all on the same page with upcoming duties and events.” Overall, the retreat was a successful event that the scholars and staff participated in together. In the future, it will be a great event to host annually in order to allow the center to kick start the year in a positive and collaborative way. 3
FALL 2016 KIRBY SCHOLARS BY DEPARTMENT LEGAL Emily Absalom Courtney McMonagle BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Michelle Lehman Cassidy Clement ENTREPRENEURSHIP Taylor Baker DIGITAL DESIGN & MEDIA ART Jimmy Musto Nicole Kutos COMMUNICATIONS Annelise Pryzwara Taylor Ryan ACCOUNTING Kimberly Keller ENGINEERING Matthew Miller
UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS USASBE 2017 ANNUAL 1/19-1/22 Philadelphia, PA BRIDGES EDUCATION 2017 CONFERENCE 4/26-4/28 Cape May, NJ SPRING KIRBY LECTURE SERIES 5/1 Wilkes-Barre, PA APKCFEE GRAND RE-OPENING 5/1 Wilkes-Barre, PA
APKCFEE NEWSLETTER Vol. 1
2016/17 Fall & Winter Edition
Photo provided by Jimmy Musto
Highlighting The Kirby Scholar Program Written by Michelle Lehman
The Kirby Family strongly believes in free enterprise and entrepreneurship. Their family values are being honored by the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (APKCFEE). Allan P. Kirby, Jr. started the APKCFEE in 1993 to teach and practice free enterprise and entrepreneurship. Current Executive Director, Rodney S. Ridley Sr., Ph.D., had a vision to move the Kirby Center forward, maintain the center’s founding goals, and to continue and expand the work of his outstanding predecessors. Since 2014, the APKCFEE has re-introduced, expanded and innovated its operations. The center included, and implemented a unique and distinctive Kirby Scholar Program. Top-Performing students in accounting, business development, communications, digital design & media art, education, engineering, and legal are chosen for the Kirby Scholar Program. There are a total of eight Kirby Scholar positions at the APKCFEE that offer an array of opportunities for students. According to the APKCFEE, Kirby Scholars are selected because they are the “best and
brightest” in their chosen discipline. “We work with each academic department leadership and faculty who have firsthand knowledge of the most qualified students. We then make sure that the goals of the academic units, as well as those of the APKCFEE closely match. We also count on our internal and external business mentors to help us identify the best candidate,” said Charles J. Pierce, Assistant Director. The Kirby Scholar Program provides Kirby Scholars with hands-on experiential learning in their chosen discipline. Kirby Scholars work directly with clients and build strong business relationships. Scholars receive valuable experience in their field of study and formal recognition for their work. They also work closely with our business mentors, who are typically local and national leaders. “Our business mentors are highly accomplished professionals that typically don’t have a reason to interact with an undergraduate student, but they find real value, purpose, and satisfaction in this program, which makes this a truly unique opportunity for our scholars,” 4
said Dr. Ridley. “It is truly a one-ofa-kind and comprehensive learning opportunity for a select group of exceptional students.”[Office1] Originally, the APKCFEE set out to mentor Wilkes University students, faculty, and staff members. The center wanted to create a program that would work ‘hands-on’ with their businesses all the way through their entrepreneurial experience. However, significant demand from the NEPA community for these types of ‘hands-on’ services has caused the APKCFEE to expand its program beyond the University. Consequently, the APKCFEE client base is growing immensely. Ridley and his team had to answer a new question, “How do we mentor 50 businesses on a limited budget?” The answer was the Kirby Scholar Program. The next iteration of the Kirby Scholar Program is to incorporate international students. The APKCFEE hopes to expand the Kirby Scholar Program regionally, nationally and globally in the future.
APKCFEE NEWSLETTER Vol. 1
2016/17 Fall & Winter Edition
FALL/WINTER NEWSLETTER STAFF WRITERS Annelise Przywara Cassidy Clement Michelle Lehman Taylor Ryan LAYOUT Jimmy Musto Nicole Kutos PHOTOGRAPHY Japhy Creative Jimmy Musto Michelle Lehman Taylor Ryan Wilkes University Marketing Photo provided by Michelle Lehman
Scholar Spotlight: Michelle Lehman, Kirby Scholar of Business Questions by Annelise Przywara Do you have hidden or special talents? Baking
What is your dream job? My dream job is to be a professor at Wilkes University.
Who’s your favorite celebrity? (actor/actress, singer, tv personality, etc.) My favorite singer is Andrew McMahon, and My favorite actor/actress is Leonardo DiCaprio & Jennifer Lawrence.
Name a person you admire and look to as a role model. My brother, Christopher Lehman
On a rainy day, what movie or TV show would you be binge watching on Netflix? The Office
Where's your favorite place to vacation? Cape May, New Jersey
What's your favorite quote or saying? “All the lines we cast will bring us home.” - Andrew McMahon
What is your favorite food ever? Margherita Pizza
Country or Pop music? Pop Music
MANAGEMENT Charles Pierce
MENTOR SPOTLIGHT: KRIS JONES
“Kris Jones is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, tech investment fund owner, best-selling author, accomplished public speaker and dedicated philanthropist. When meeting with my mentor, I saw how he can help guide me in future opportunities and can offer me valuable assistance with digital marketing at the center.”
-CASSIDY CLEMENT 5
APKCFEE NEWSLETTER Vol. 1
2016/17 Fall & Winter Edition
Kirby Lecture Series: Lt. Col. Allen B. West (Ret.) Written by Annelise Przywara & Taylor Ryan
On Wednesday, Oct. 5, the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship hosted its bi-annual lecture series at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center. Lt. Col. Allen B. West (Ret.), executive director of the National Center for Policy Analysis and former Congressman, served as the center’s featured guest speaker. His lecture was focused on the topic of “building a strong economy through small business and military veterans. “West provided a rousing program on the topic,” said Jerry Ephault, Executive in Residence at the Allan P. Kirby Center. “He wove together his practical experiences and his encyclopedic knowledge of the principles within our Constitution to emphasize the maturity, relevant skills, and experience of military veterans into their capability for entrepreneurial success to include business value and wealth creation.” West was born and raised in Atlanta, GA and is the third of four generations of military servicemen in his family. During his time with the 1st Infantry Division, he served in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. In 2004 he retired from the U.S. Army, then later volunteered to deploy to Afghanistan as a civilian military adviser to the Afghan army. Later in November 2010, West was elected to the U.S. Congress, representing Florida’s 22nd District. While in office, he voted for over 30 bills designed to empower small businesses, reduce government barriers to job creation, boost American competitiveness, encourage entrepreneurship and growth, and maximize American energy production. Much of West’s speech highlighted his belief that small business serves as the foundation of our nation and economy. He advocated on behalf of veterans and related many of his talking points to the
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ongoing presidential race and current state of the country. “Lt. Col. West clearly advocated for veterans to have ownership of their businesses,” said senior Psychology major and President of Wilkes University Veterans Council, Callie Flowers. Another student, Taylor Baker, Kirby Scholar in entrepreneurship, felt as though Lt. Col. West related well to small business and entrepreneurship in his speech. “He discussed the effects of taxes on business, the allocation of money within society, along with the responsibilities of the government versus the responsibilities of business owners and the public,” Baker explained. At the conclusion of his presentation, he took time to answer questions from the audience. “In my opinion, the highlight of the lecture was his response to the audience question as to whether he’d 6
ever consider running for president. To this he said, ‘wherever God leads me I will follow,’” said Flowers. “As I am a religious person, this response showed how humble he is and reflected the calm and collected tone he upheld throughout the duration of his speech.” A major takeaway from Lt. Col. West’s visit and presentation is his challenge to the Allan P. Kirby Center and their partners to develop a national center of excellence for Veterans’ Entrepreneurship. “It is an ambitious challenge, but it has clearly resonated with everyone,” said Dr. Rodney Ridley, Executive Director of the Allan P. Kirby Center. “We are diligently working on this and it will be a primary focus of our activities moving forward.”
APKCFEE NEWSLETTER Vol. 1
2016/17 Fall & Winter Edition
Making an impact on the world through International Entrepreneurship Written by Taylor Ryan
The Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise (APKCFEE) has partnered with various parts of the university to create international entrepreneur opportunities all over the globe. While this has been a goal of both the center and the university since the mission of Wilkes began, it has only been within the last year that these concrete plans have been developed and completed. It is the goal of the university to remain a small university, but make a significant impact on the rest of the world. The Allan P. Kirby Center believes the way to complete this is through entrepreneurship and expanding the opportunities Wilkes’ has to offer. Over the next year, these ideas and plans will be transformed to a reality through four various programs that will be brought to Wilkes University’s campus. While keeping the University’s ideals in mind, Dr. Rodney Ridley and the rest of the Allan P. Kirby Center, in conjunction with the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business, lead by newly appointed, Dean Adekola, have worked together to bring international scholars to Wilkes. Dr. Adekola has a strong interest in working with APKCEE to spread entrepreneurial education internationally. Gaining experience and knowledge through hands on learning and teaching will then, in turn, bring a new view and expertise back to their home countries. This process is creating a continuous effect on the rest of the world and international business as a whole. Dr. Abel Adekola is new to Wilkes, but has seen all that this university has to offer in the short amount of time he spent getting acquainted. While discussing the plans he hopes to accomplish here at Wilkes, he spoke of the unmatched resources Wilkes has to offer. These resources, such as The Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise, allow the university to expand worldwide and bring these opportunities and experiences to the small campus in Northeastern, Pennsylvania. While discussing how to accomplish these goals, Dr. Ridley and Dr. Adekola have begun instituting four new programs to the Wilkes community.
Photo provided by Taylor Ryan
These programs include The American Councils Fellow Program, The Fulbright Scholars Program, The International Kirby Graduate Scholar, and The Mandela Washington Fellowship Program. Though each of these programs holds their own opportunities for international and native students, they each differ and will contribute to the Wilkes mission individually. The International Kirby Graduate Scholar will be the first of the four programs to arrive on campus. In January 2017, the graduate student, Saidat Sanni, will be coming to Wilkes University and will be serving as one of the Kirby Scholars. Sanni is traveling to Wilkes from Nigeria, where she attended Nigeria Technical University, studied statistics, and graduated at the top of her class. During her time here, as both a graduate student and a Kirby Scholar, she will be working with Ms. Ooms of The Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development at Wilkes in working to learn how the metrics of our area are developed and in turn, develop the metrics of the University and APKCEE. This will not only be a resource for the center, but Ms. Sanni will be able to take what she has learned here and implement it in her own culture. All are looking forward to welcoming Ms. Sanni as the first International Kirby Scholar. The next program to be instituted is the American Professional Fellows Program. This program is fully funded by the United States State Department. While Wilkes plans to become one of the universities approved for the program within the next year, the university is getting a taste of the program starting in the spring of 2017. Lehigh University is one of the schools that has already been approved to host a Fellow this spring. For five weeks, Mr. Sergey Mardanov Continued on Page 8 7
APKCFEE NEWSLETTER Vol. 1
2016/17 Fall & Winter Edition
Contact Us (570) 408-4590 • apkcfee@wilkes.edu RODNEY S. RIDLEY SR., PH.D. Executive Director, Distinguished Professor (570) 408-4592 rodney.ridley@wilkes.edu CHARLES J. PIERCE Assistant Director, Adjunct Professor (570) 408-3804 charles.pierce@wilkes.edu GERALD A. EPHAULT Executive In Residence, Adjunct Professor (570) 408-4590 gerald.ephault@wilkes.edu LORNA M. GALLIFORD Office Assistant (570) 408-4590 lorna.galliford@wilkes.edu
Visit Us
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The Allan P. Kirby Center For Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurship 65 West South Street Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18766
VISIT WILKES.EDU/KIRBY FOR MORE INFORMATION
International Entrepreneurship Continued from Page 6
will be at Lehigh University. Dr. Adekola and Dr. Ridley are working with the center’s staff to prepare for our fellow who is yet to be identified, but should be here in the spring’17 semester. In preparing to host a fellow, Dr. Adekola and Dr. Ridley will partner to plan day by day activities as well as unique entrepreneurial and American experiences during the visit. The American Councils Fellowship Program opens various opportunities for Wilkes, as well as allows the APKCEE to play a vital role in utilizing all of the University resources.
learn how our system works, while being able to apply it in their home countries. This Fellowship Program requires that Wilkes University is awarded entrance into the program in order to have scholars come and study at the University. The program will consist of up to 40 schools and 1,000 international students. Dr. Adekola is continuing to work toward the end goal of Wilkes University being one of the institutions to host the scholars and the application process will begin within the next year. While the international programs and opportunities continue to arise, Wilkes University will be utilizing the large amount of resources to bring these prestigious programs to campus. The contribution of the large amount of opportunities being brought from all over the world, as well as the opportunities Wilkes is bringing to the rest of the world is highly contingent on the partnering of Dr. Ridley, the APKCFEE staff, and Dean Adekola and their strong push for these programs. Each advisor has provided ambitious efforts in implementing various international opportunities and has expanded Wilkes University’s impact on the rest of the world. This is the future of the University, the Allan P. Kirby Center for Free Enterprise, and the Sidhu School of Business. Collaboration and passion for this cause at Wilkes University have enabled the development of invaluable resources and opportunities that will only continue to grow and contribute to the university’s future.
The Fulbright Scholars Program was first initiated to bring the globe together by sending scholars around the world and teaching them about various cultures, ways of government, and adapting those concepts to their own cultures. This is a very prestigious and competitive program to be accepted to. Applicants must obtain a Ph.D. and be currently teaching at a university prior to attempting to teach under this program. Currently, Dr. Adekola is in correspondence with Professor Niaz M. Patwary from the School of Business at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh. Professor Patwary is in the process of applying to the Fulbright Scholars Program and has expressed a large interest in completing this residency at University. Lastly, The Mandala Washington Fellowship Program was first created under the authority of President Obama to help African Entrepreneurs come to the United States and 8