Wichita State University’s Center for Entrepreneurship is Back in the Business School

Hold onto your hats, Wichita! The year is 2024, and the entrepreneurial scene at Wichita State University (WSU) is about to get a whole lot more…well, *entrepreneurial*. That’s right, folks, after five years of grooving with the cool kids at the College of Innovation and Design (CID), the Center for Entrepreneurship (CfE) is moving back home to the Barton School of Business. Think of it like that time you moved back in with your parents after college – except way less awkward and way more beneficial for everyone involved.

This isn’t just some random shuffle of the academic deck chairs. This strategic reintegration is all about turbocharging WSU’s already killer entrepreneurship programs, giving students experiences that are more “real world” than watching paint dry, and weaving the university even tighter into the fabric of the local business scene. Basically, they’re aiming to create an entrepreneurial powerhouse that’ll make Tony Stark jealous (minus the whole “almost destroying the world” thing, hopefully).

The Big Wigs Weigh In

You know what they say – if you wanna know what’s really going on, ask the people in charge. So, we did just that. And let’s just say, the excitement around this move is palpable:

“This transition is all about breaking down those pesky silos and fostering a ‘go-getter’ spirit across the entire university,”

says Dr. Jeremy Patterson, Dean of CID. He emphasizes that while CID will be sad to see the CfE go (who wouldn’t miss having those entrepreneurial dynamos around?), they’re stoked to see what the future holds for both colleges. CID, for its part, will continue to push the boundaries of tech and innovation, because seriously, have you seen what those guys are doing with AI and drones over there? It’s mind-blowing!

And what does Basil Hourani, rockstar entrepreneur and member of the Barton School Dean’s “Fabulous 50” Advisory Board, have to say about all this?

“We’re not just building a center here, we’re building an entrepreneurial ecosystem – one that’ll benefit students, faculty, and the entire region.”

See? We’re talking real-world impact, folks. The kind of stuff that makes headlines (and hopefully, a whole lot of successful businesses).

Dr. Larisa Genin, the Big Cheese over at the Barton School, is equally pumped about the reunion.

“We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and collaborate with CID and all our awesome colleagues across WSU,” she says. “We’re talking next-level stuff here, people. We’re going to transform the CfE into a global hub of entrepreneurial awesomeness – a place where students, faculty, and the community can come together to dream big, innovate like crazy, and, most importantly, turn those dreams into reality.”

And if you’re thinking, “Okay, that sounds great and all, but is this just another flash in the pan?” Dr. Shirley Lefever, WSU’s Executive Vice President and Provost, is here to tell you why this is most definitely not the case.

“WSU was practically a trailblazer in offering entrepreneurship programs. Back in the day, we were all about that entrepreneurial life before it was even cool,” she laughs. “And the CfE? They’ve been killin’ it on a national level. This move? It’s only gonna amplify their impact and give our students even more opportunities to learn, grow, and become the entrepreneurial rockstars they’re destined to be.”

From Humble Beginnings to Entrepreneurial Powerhouse: A History of the CfE

Now, before we dive headfirst into the future, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane, shall we? Buckle up, kids, it’s history time!

Picture this: it’s 1977, disco is all the rage, and Professor Fran Jabara (the OG entrepreneurial rockstar and former Dean of the Barton School) decides that WSU needs a serious dose of entrepreneurial spirit. So, what does he do? He rolls up his sleeves and founds the Center for Entrepreneurship, kicking things off with a workshop aptly titled “Entrepreneurship: Your Future in Business.” Talk about a blast from the past!

Fast forward to today, and the CfE isn’t just some small-town hero; it’s an internationally recognized powerhouse of entrepreneurial excellence. We’re talking awards, accolades, and a reputation that precedes it. This ain’t your grandma’s entrepreneurship program, folks (unless your grandma happens to be a total boss babe, in which case, power to her!).