The Corns Business and Entrepreneurial Scholars Program

The Corns Business and Entrepreneurial Scholars program encourages and nurtures the business and entrepreneurial ambitions of Ohio Wesleyan students. Corns Scholars combine classroom knowledge with the spontaneity of daily business applications and challenges, putting them a step ahead in the business world with future employers. Corns scholars will:

• Take specific courses designed to develop business and entrepreneurial skills and that culminate in a Senior Research Project.
• Participate in two pre-approved internships that link economics and business theory with real-world practice.
• Conduct research in entrepreneurship-related topics by participating in the Woltemade Center’s Burton Morgan Student Paper Competition.

By the time they graduate, Corns Scholars are required to complete the following:

Courses

• Marketing Management (EMAN 210), Entrepreneurship (EMAN 300.1)
• Financial Accounting (ACCT 217), Financial Management (EMAN 361)
• Senior Seminar (EMAN or ECON 499) and a Senior Research Project
• (Independent Study-EMAN 490A).

Internships

Corns Scholars will also participate in at least two internships that will be obtained or approved by the Woltemade Center for Economics, Business and Entrepreneurship. Internships may be taken for one semester during the school year or during the summer.

Senior Research Project

The Senior Research Project consists of an independent study that is taken for academic credit and under supervision of both an OWU professor and possibly an outside entrepreneur or business professional who is selected by the Woltemade Center.

Burton Morgan Student Paper Competition
Corns Scholars will enter the Burton Morgan Student Paper Competition in both their junior and senior years. The competition encourages student research in entrepreneurship and small business. Students conduct preliminary research on a topic of their choice and prepare a 3-5 page proposal which details the background on their topic, the additional research required and the general results that might be anticipated. Paper proposals are submitted in early December with the winning proposal selected and announced in mid-December. The research is completed and the final paper and presentation are made in early April.

The Scholarship

Named in memory of the former president of Roadway Express Richard W. Corns and funded through a $1 million dollar endowment from the GAR Foundation, the Corns Business and Entrepreneurial Scholars Program provides at least ten junior and senior students with $5,000 in scholarship per academic year, in addition to all other current financial aid.

Eligibility

Students apply to be Corns Scholars at the end of their sophomore year. The primary criteria for acceptance into this program include:

• Academic performance, including a minimum GPA of 3.3 to date
• Proven leadership in campus or community service organizations.
• Experience that would suggest substantial potential for future achievement in business or as an entrepreneur.

Administration and Evaluation

The Program is administered by the Woltemade Center for Economics, Business and Entrepreneurship. Students’ progress will be reviewed at the end of every semester by the Selection and Review Committee. Upon successful completion of the program, each student will be recognized as being a Corns Business and Entrepreneurial Scholar in the printed graduation program.

Forms

2007-2008 Application (116k PDF*)

2007-2009 Student Program Plan (36k PDF*)

Additional Information

Contact the Woltemade Center for Economics, Business and Entrepreneurship.