Curiosity, passion, vision and willingness to take risks.
If that sounds like you – or like the person you wish to be – check out a University of Arkansas Honors College class being taught next fall on Arkansas entrepreneurs.
Matt Waller, dean of the Sam M. Walton College of Business, will teach the Forum: Entrepreneurs class that will explore the range of entrepreneurs in Arkansas who built Fortune 500 companies from the spark of an idea and those who are working now to emulate them.
“Arkansas has an amazingly successful list of entrepreneurs, including those who have built companies that are headquartered in Arkansas and some who have established businesses elsewhere,” Waller said. “One goal of this course is for students to develop a rich understanding of these entrepreneurs so that they can apply the key lessons in their lives and businesses.”
The class will combine class discussion of the history and background of entrepreneurship in Arkansas with talks by men and women who are working today to build the visionary Arkansas companies of tomorrow.
“Entrepreneurs have a bias for action, can deal with ambiguity and uncertainty, and demonstrate persistence,” Waller said. “These students will learn from the example of the giants of Arkansas business and today’s top practitioners to grow their ideas, to create the future.”
To apply to join the class, go to the Forum: Entrepreneurs application form and sign up. The application deadline is midnight, Wednesday, March 28, 2018.
“This forum will examine the best Arkansas entrepreneurs from the past and give honors students the opportunity to learn directly from master entrepreneurs putting those concepts in motion,” said Lynda Coon, Honors College dean. “Students will learn what entrepreneurs have done in our state and what they’re doing today.”
Students accepted for the class will be those who demonstrate a willingness to learn and develop entrepreneurial skills, to network with class speakers and to actively participate in class discussions and other course-related activities.
They will have the opportunity to meet and discuss entrepreneurship with several successful entrepreneurs during the class, to practice networking skills and to learn first-hand from the successes and failures of entrepreneurs.
Forum: Entrepreneurs is another in the Honors College Forum series, which brings top faculty and administrators together with honors students to discuss trending issues. Waller taught a similar Honors College forum class in Fall 2017 on Arkansas Business.
