19 Feb 2013
Staff Writer
Blessing Wokocha
Intern
The tantalizing aroma of piping hot pizza beckoned to the individuals around, signaling that food was available somewhere on the premises and a meeting was in progress.
This was the way the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization commenced their spring kick-off at the Business Leadership Building the evening of Feb. 18.
This was the first meeting for this new organization and the potential members that arrived were greeted by adviser Dr. Tony Mendez and chief financial officer, Meredith Little.
Business sophomore Evan Allen came into the meeting that evening with a purpose of being with people that shared his same vision.
“I’m excited for the next meeting,” Allen said. “People aren’t there for a waste of time. They have goals that they want to achieve.”
Business senior Kyle Dickens is the president of this new organization and he said CEO came about because he, other officers and friends recognized a huge need for an entrepreneurial organization on campus, whether through the accounting or artistic side.
“We were driving down the road and was like this would be a good idea,” Dickens said. “There’s tons of us out there that have that same idea.”
Eight students attended the first meeting but the small turnout didn’t quell the passion in the president and advisor as they tried to fire up potential members about the organization’s future.
“This is a true entrepreneurial organization,” CEO advisor Tony Mendez said. “We plan on y’all being entrepreneurial by working on projects that generate revenues.”
Students in attendance ranged in a variety of majors and students that are interested in this organization don’t have to major in entrepreneurship.
“When you get students from different disciplines, something great happens,” Mendez said. “I know something great is going to happen.”
The organization will meet every other week on Mondays and is focused on getting a solid team together to be ready to compete in Chicago for nationals.
“We want to pick a solid team and pitch the idea to win money for the organization,” Allen said. “We have a lot of cool things coming up.”
