Spears School scholarship program focuses on creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship

Graduate

STILLWATER, Okla. - Master’s of business administration students in the Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University are encouraged to apply for a unique recognition program that focuses on creativity and innovation.

The Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) Scholars Program is designed to recognize and involve top students in the MBA program at OSU. Each year, 10 students will be selected for the program through an application and interview process. Those selected will receive a $5,000 scholarship awarded over two semesters.

“I think the scholarship is a great opportunity for students to be involved in projects that will challenge them intellectually and feed their creative nature,” said Jan Analla, assistant director of graduate programs in the Spears School. “It will helps student connect with companies and make an impact on the issues those companies are facing today.”

The CIE Scholars program is funded by Dan Howard and Tiffany Sewell-Howard, who are both alumni of the OSU MBA program. Tiffany is the CEO of the DitchWitch® Organization in Perry, Okla., and Dan is an attorney practicing in Edmond, Okla. As alumni and Oklahoma residents, Tiffany and Dan said they see fostering entrepreneurship and executive leadership as key to the state’s future economic success. It was this need that was the impetus for the initial program endowment.

CIE Scholars will be selected based on a variety of factors, including academic performance and achievements, extracurricular and/or community activity, leadership experiences and life accomplishments. Any current or prospective MBA student with an academic interest in any aspect of business is welcome to apply.

CIE Scholars will enroll in a three-hour course focused on experiential learning through engagement with creative, innovative and entrepreneurial projects; serve as ambassadors for the Spears School, the MBA program and the entrepreneurship program; and organize an annual CIE Scholars Forum.

“The CIE Scholars Program reflects the need in companies for people who can creatively solve problems, design new business models, and create the markets of the future,” said Michael Morris, N. Malone Mitchell Chair in Entrepreneurship. “We are celebrating and reinforcing dreamers and doers.”

Applications for the CIE Scholars Program will be accepted between April and July and are available in the MBA office in 102 Gundersen Hall. Those eligible for the program include both full-time and part-time students accepted in the MBA program and who are able to participate in all CIE-related activities and programs.

For more information on the CIE Scholars Program, contact 405-744-2951 or visit http://spears.okstate.edu/future/graduate.

Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant system that cuts across disciplines to better prepare students for a new world. Oklahoma’s only university with a statewide presence, OSU improves the lives of people in Oklahoma, the nation, and the world. The Spears School of Business is dedicated to the original land-grant vision of integrated, high-quality teaching, research and outreach. For more information, call 405-744-5064 or visit spears.okstate.edu.

Graduate Spotlight

Spears School MBA program develops partnership with Kenyan university

STILLWATER, Okla. - The Spears School of Business is developing a doctoral-level partnership with Moi University in Eldoret, Kenya, as part of Oklahoma State University’s Sub-Saharan initiative.

Spears School faculty members Robert Dooley and Federico Aime, recently traveled to Kenya to gain a better understanding of how the Spears School might assist Moi University in developing Ph.D. trained faculty.

“OSU has a memo of understanding with Moi,” said Dooley, Spears School associate dean for graduate programs and research. “Some OSU units are already working with the university. Visitors from Moi’s business school were here in December and our trip was a follow-up to their visit.”

STILLWATER, Okla. - A team of Oklahoma State University Spears School of Business students have earned top honors for the second consecutive year at the annual Big 12 Master's of Business Administration Case Competition. OSU's MBA Case team competed at Baylor University on April 3 and 4 to defend their title.

Team members Nick Ahrens, Preston Pollard, Tommy Christian and Alisonn Phelps were given a real-world case problem which required them to assess the problem, research possible solutions, write a concept proposal and give a presentation on their findings and recommendations - all within 24 hours.

OSU Masters of Business Administration case team takes home top honors in Big XII competition

The Oklahoma State University case competition team recently won first place at an annual Big 12 competition in Kansas City. The team includes MBA students Tiantian Zhang (left), Jessie Loeffler, Michael Tapley and Matt Quade. Also pictured is Kevin Rauckman, Garmin CFO and treasurer.