College of Business opens new entrepreneurship center

Sept. 9, 2016 | Business Administration |

The Paul R. Carter College of Business Administration dedicated the Waldron Center for Entrepreneurship and Family Business on Friday. The center will focus on entrepreneurial academics and competitions as well as business development.

Located in the Mabee building, the newly renovated space features a conference room, tables for collaboration, and a conversational area for informal meetings. According to Allen Frazier, dean of the College, the development of the Waldron Center reflects a growing focus on developing education and training opportunities for potential entrepreneurs and those continuing family businesses.

“COBA has had a long tradition of emphasizing free enterprise,” Frazier said. “We believe the new Waldron Center will be a fresh, engaging way to continue teaching the importance of entrepreneurship and small business in a global economy.”

The University currently offers three courses on entrepreneurship, but Frazier said the center will enable development of more classes. It will also facilitate student participation in competitions like the Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup and connect community business owners to empower campus innovators.

The Waldron Center is funded by David and Betsy Waldron of Murfressboro, Tennessee. Waldron, a 1976 Harding graduate, returned to a family business after college. His desire to create a resource at the University emphasizing family business and entrepreneurship led to the establishment of the center.

“Many of our students express an interest in starting their own business or returning to their family business,” Frazier said. “The Waldron Center will help foster that entrepreneurial spirit while providing students with necessary tools and connections to already successful entrepreneurs.”