8 minute read
A Finer Future for Kriner
Renovations planned to host growing programs
Dedicated in 1958, Kriner Hall, affectionately known as “the finer diner,” opened to meet the growing needs of the university and its students. It existed as a place that fostered community and connection as the location that served thousands of students breakfast, lunch, and dinner for over 60 years. It’s been closed since 2021, but soon, it will serve again as a valuable connection point. This time it will feed the innovative passions of aspiring entrepreneurs.
Shippensburg University is moving forward with renovations to the existing building, named after former President Harry Kriner, to house three growing and strategic programs that improves the awareness of entrepreneurship as a career choice for our students and meets the needs of Pennsylvania’s workforce; the Charles H. Diller Jr. Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation, the Mr. and Mrs. Milton K. Morgan III Makerspace, and the Shippensburg University Small Business Development Center (SBDC).
[Kriner] will serve as a collaborative environment where our partner programs can work alongside us, creating a one-stop shop for business assistance in the region.
“By co-localizing the university’s Diller Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Innovation, the Mr. and Mrs. Milton K. Morgan III Makerspace, and the Small Business Development Center to form an Entrepreneurship Hub, they create a synergistic ecosystem that significantly enhances the process of turning students’ ideas into successful businesses,” said Dr. Charles E. Patterson, president of Shippensburg University.
The Diller Center cultivates creative thinking and collaboration, generating cutting-edge ideas and solutions. By bringing together students, faculty, and community members from diverse backgrounds, the Diller Center sparks the exchange of ideas and the blending of expertise. This synergy leads to breakthroughs that wouldn’t occur in isolation, strengthening the hub’s ecosystem. Beyond technical skills, the Diller Center also nurtures problem-solving, adaptability, and teamwork—key entrepreneurial traits.
The Morgan Makerspace provides the physical tools and environment for rapid prototyping and experimentation, allowing aspiring student entrepreneurs to transform concepts into tangible products swiftly. Equipped with advanced prototyping equipment, like 3D printers, entrepreneurs can rapidly design, test, and refine their concepts. This accessibility allows students to overcome barriers to entry by reducing the cost and complexity of product development, fostering a hands-on approach to innovation. Entrepreneurs can experiment, fail fast, and iterate efficiently, which is critical in the early stages of business creation.
Simultaneously, the Small Business Development Center offers crucial business expertise, mentorship, and resources to navigate the complexities of launching and scaling a company. This integration enables seamless progression from ideation to product development to market entry, maximizing the potential for entrepreneurial success and driving economic growth within regional communities.
“The hub will serve as a collaborative environment where our partner programs can work alongside us, creating a one-stop shop for business assistance in the region. This is an exciting step toward fostering growth and innovation in our community,” said Robin Burtner, director of the Shippensburg University Small Business and Development Center.
Beyond its immediate support for startups, the hub fosters a lifelong entrepreneurial mindset among its participants. It emphasizes skills such as adaptability, resilience, and strategic thinking, which are essential not only for business owners but also for professionals navigating the complexities of the modern workforce. By instilling these qualities, this space will ensure that its impact extends far beyond the businesses it helps to launch, shaping individuals who are prepared to innovate and lead in any context.
Also joining the hub is the newly established Small Business Internship
Initiative at Shippensburg University. Modeled after the successful Scranton Small Business Internship Initiative, this collaborative will connect small businesses with college students throughout the region. It will establish a sustainable pipeline of paid small business internship opportunities for students and increase visibility into the value of small business and entrepreneurship. This will provide students with essential job skills while supporting up-and-coming or existing business owners to collaborate and succeed.
The Potential that Exists
The entrepreneurial spirit is not a new concept to Shippensburg University students. The alumni behind Denim Coffee, a local coffee roaster with several retail coffee shops is an excellent example of the potential that exists and can be supported from the vision behind the renovation of Kriner Hall.
Matt Ramsey ’08 developed a love of coffee during his days at Ship, working as a barista on campus. As his interest in coffee grew, he started roasting beans in a popcorn popper and taking notes on how changes in the roasting altered the taste. It was his education and experiences at Ship that set him on the path to take his love of coffee to the next level.
“Shippensburg University provided me with an opportunity to explore, learn, and grow,” said Ramsey.
This mindset led to him starting Denim Coffee with his wife Kristin ’08 in 2011 in a humble 400 square foot space, roasting coffee to serve at local markets and provide fresh roasts to local coffee shops. Today, Denim occupies a 33,000 square foot location in Chambersburg and boasts seven coffee shops throughout south central Pennsylvania.
In 2016, Denim welcomed Tony Diehl ’07 to the team. Diehl, a computer science major, began his career managing the band Ledbetter Heights, before opening his own brand management company, Stickable Media. Diehl, now a co-owner of Denim, is the marketing might behind the growing coffee company.
“Matt and I both credit our time at Shippensburg University and the supportive alumni community and the Small Business Development Center for helping to originally develop the business plan and find funding with our entrepreneurial success,” said Diehl.
In 2023 Denim welcomed another Ship graduate when Kyle Matthews ’08 assumed the role of director of partnerships. Matthews was one of the first students to graduate from Ship’s entrepreneur program and just like Diehl and Ramsey, recognizes the impact Ship has on his success within Denim.
“My degree from Ship gave me the confidence and skillset to be a business owner and an entrepreneur throughout my career path. At Denim, I’ve been able to customize solutions that have grown the wholesale and partnership programs that drive better business cash flow, leading to continued growth across central PA and beyond,” said Matthews.
With 70 employees, Denim is vibrant contributor to the regional workforce, and an example of what can be achieved with a great idea and the support of Shippensburg University.
Much like Ramsey, Diehl, and Matthews, student entrepreneurs who have connected with the Diller Center, Morgan Makerspace, and SBDC come from unique backgrounds and majors. What they have in common is their desire to turn an idea into a future career.
Funding the Future
Last year, the Shippensburg University Foundation began a campaign to raise $3.8 million in private charitable contributions to support the renovation of Kriner Hall. During this early campaign stage, the SU Foundation secured over $2.8 million toward its goal from alumni and friends. The campaign also includes programmatic initiatives that invest in student entrepreneurs and activities. In November, the university was awarded a $1 million grant from Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program in support of the Kriner renovation. This grant was made possible through the support of Pennsylvania Representative Torren Ecker and Pennsylvania Senator Greg Rothman. Congressman John Joyce, serving Pennsylvania’s 13th District, secured an additional $700,000 through Community Project Funding for the project.
“We are grateful for the continued support of our legislators, benefactors, and business leaders who see the value in our vision and our work. We look forward to taking this next step, and remain committed to our work in serving the future of Pennsylvania,” said Patterson.
This funding has been critical in moving this project forward as Ship creates a hub that will become a vital contributor to both the university’s mission and the broader community’s economic well-being.
If you are inspired to create a finer future for Kriner, Ship students, and the region, please consider making a charitable contribution to the project.
To make a gift to support the renovations at Kriner, visit: tinyurl.com/SUFKriner
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER: provides no-cost confidential consulting and low-cost training to small business owners and potential entrepreneurs in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York counties. We help entrepreneurs make sound decisions for the successful operation of their business. Our consulting services are offered at no-charge, and your information is always confidential.
THE CHARLES H. DILLER JR. CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION: stands ready to mentor, support, and encourage any student, staff, or faculty member who wishes to strike out on their own with an idea. We are laying the groundwork to launch successful businesses, ventures, and contributions to society.
MR. AND MRS. MILTON K. MORGAN III MAKERSPACE: offers a hands-on, innovative learning space for Shippensburg University students, faculty, and staff. The space includes 3D printers, power tools, fabrication equipment, and more.
