Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship

The Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship is an entrepreneurship education resource that provides classes, coaching and assistance to entrepreneurs. It builds relationships among and between CSB/SJU students, faculty, alumnae/i, and community members to create and strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit.

Hear what our E-Scholar Alums have to say-

We are now accepting applications for the 2013-2015 E-Scholars group.

To find out more about the program, or to get an application, follow the links below. Stop up in Simons 350 with any questions, or email Kelli Gradin at kgradin@csbsju.edu or Terri Barreiro at tbarreiro@csbsju.edu

More info on the E-Scholars Program. Application for the 2013-2015 E-Scholars group.

The Donald McNeely Center welcomes Pat Maxwell, our 2012-2013 Executive in Residence!

Click here to read more about Pat and the executive in residence position.

2012 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

The 2012 Entrepreneur of the Year Awards was a huge success! We had over 240 alumni/alumnae and friends of the Colleges in attendance. Congrats to this years winners Margaret Murphy '90, Cary Musech '80, and Joe Cavanaugh '81!

Click here to read the bios of our 2012 winners. Coming soon this link will also have our 2012 winner videos!

CSB/SJU Sweep National E-Scholar Elevator Pitch Competition

The 7th group of E-Scholars traveled to Denver this February to compete in the annual National Elevator Pitch Competition. CSB/SJU swept the competition with a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place wins! Matt Wildenborg took home the trophy and a cash prize of $500, with his idea- The Knee Jerk, Lauren Witt took home second place and $300 with her idea for a video camera attached to ski/snowboard goggles and Jessey Niyongabo took home 3rd place and $200 with his idea- New Car, a car rentel service on Campus. We had 5 students make it to the top ten, with 3 taking home the win! We are very proud of our E-Scholars! Way to Go E-7's!!!

The McNeely Center has selected the 9th group of E-Scholars!
To find our more about this group, click here!

Lauren Kessler
Justin Hochsprung
John Kurth
Emily Reimer
Ryan Wojciechowski
Long Nguyen
Arrianna Stotz
Evan Miller
Andrew Mueller
Josh Fox
Lisa Vang
Miles Armitage
Josh Erickson

The Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship has an Executive in Residence.
The Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship will host its second Executive-in-Residence. The goal of the program is to build on the success of our current alumni mentoring program and deepen the opportunity for student connection through more frequent and informal access to seasoned and accomplished leaders dedicated to sharing their experience and expertise.

Social Entrepreneurs and future nonprofit leaders assisted by the Center
The mission of the Donald McNeely Center includes reaching those with entrepreneurial visions to address social and community issues. The Center provides individual advice and coaching to students and community leaders. Read more about this work.

Donald McNeely, Inspirational Founder, 1914-2009
Donald McNeely, aged 94, passed away March 9th, 2009. He was the inspirational founder of the Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship and a frequent advisor for staff and students. He will be greatly missed.

Current Events

Entrepreneurial Leadership Series Luncheons

Our next event is our is on Thursday, March 14th! Featuring keynote speaker, Jim Wolford '90, CEO and President of Atomic. www.atomicdata.com

Note: Starting in November 2011, the McNeely Center will be switching over from paper to electronic invitations only for The Entrepreneurial Leadership Luncheon series. To make sure you are on our electronic invite list, please email Kelli Gradin at kgradin@csbsju.edu.

The Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship proudly celebrates the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards!

2012 Winners

College of Saint Benedict Entrepreneur of the Year:
Margaret Murphy, Olson

Saint John's University Entrepreneur of the Year:
Cary Musech, Tonka Bay Equity Partners

CSB/SJU Entrepreneur of the Year:
Joe Cavanaugh, Youth Frontiers

2011

Click here to read the bios and to view the videos of our 2011 winners.

Campus 2 Canvas Sells Painting in St. John's Bookstore

Below is an email from one of the student founders to the McNeely Center:

"Today when I walked into the SJU Bookstore, I noticed that something was missing. It was the first ever C2C painting to sell in the bookstore, of the Stella Maris Chapel. After my immediate joyous fistpump, I snapped a picture of the empty easel display and couldn't help to think about the significance of that moment.

I am writing you today, because you have profoundly influenced and impacted me. I just want to share this moment with you and share my gratitude for all that you've done. The venture is blossoming, and I can't wait to see what happens once the season comes into full swing. I really appreciate all your advice and help throughout the last 10 months, this wouldn't have been possible without you. Thank you so much."

E-Scholar Venture Pays off Loan!
Clemens Perk was our first student started-student managed campus venture. It began with a large loan from St. Bens for equipment and space renovation needed for the coffee shop. Each year a new group of students step into leadership roles and run the venture successfully. As of August 2010 the coffee shop has successfully paid off its original loan. Per the recommendation of the founding students as well as other management teams now Clemens Perk is contributing and will be listed as a Sponsor of the E-Scholars program. Beginning this fiscal year they will contribute $5000 to become a full annual sponsor.

Remembering Eric Rego, E-Scholar first cohort. Eric graduated from St. John's in 2006 and was part of the first group of Entrepreneurial Scholars. Eric passed away in December 2008 and will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Check us out on Facebook and Twitter!

Lessons in Entrepreneurship

People who start a business often say it's what they learned after everything they learned in school that makes the difference between the success or failure of their company. What the Center does is reverse that comment by ensuring what students learn and experience while in college is what makes them successful in the future.

Terri Barreiro, Director, tells about the dreams of the Center. Read More.

Program News

Social Media

Donald McNeely Center for Entrepreneurship
College of Saint Benedict
Saint John's University
350 Simons Hall
Collegeville, MN 56321

Terri Barreiro, director
tbarreiro@csbsju.edu
(320) 363-2373

Kelli Gradin, coordinator
kgradin@csbsju.edu
(320) 363-2065

Denneisha Dean, office assistant
entrcenter@csbsju.edu
(320) 363-2764

EduCase, help line
educase@csbsju.edu
www.educaseenterprise.org