Springfield College Students Awarded 2021 Grinspoon Entrepreneurship Initiative Honors
Multiple Springfield College students were recognized and received awards from the Grinspoon Entrepreneurship Initiative (EI) for their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. This annual award announcement features students who have started their own businesses.
Multiple Springfield College students were recognized and received awards from the Grinspoon Entrepreneurship Initiative (EI) for their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. This annual award announcement features students who have started their own businesses. All 2021 Award Winners will be honored on April 28 at the Grinspoon Virtual Celebration of Entrepreneurial Spirit. All are welcome – register here.
Led by Springfield College Business Management Instructor Pam Baran, and Assistant Professor of Sport Management and Recreation Dr. Heather Gilmour, students were encouraged to apply if they have a business earning revenue or if they have a business concept, or idea, that they plan to pursue. The College received a greater number of applications than in the past which attests to the high level of entrepreneurial interest and drive being exhibited by Springfield College students.
“The mission of the Grinspoon Entrepreneurship Initiative is to encourage entrepreneurial activity and to recognize and award college students who display entrepreneurial spirit,” said Baran, who serves as co-advisor with Gilmour as part of the Entrepreneurship Initiative on the Springfield College campus. “These students experienced a spark of an idea and demonstrated initiative and determination to carry it through.”
The following Springfield College students are among good company of collegiate entrepreneurs – this year the Grinspoon Entrepreneurship Initiative gave awards to 61 students representing 42 unique businesses or business concepts.
Hayley Procon - (Business Management and Marketing) - Spirit Award for Common Grounds.
Emily Counsellor - (Industrial/Organizational Psychology -- Graduate Student) - Spirit Award for FitStart Guide.
Leah (Camby-Bingham) Jones - (Human Services/Early Childhood Education) - Spirit Award for That Natural Stuff.
Jurgens Michel Jr. (Accounting) has been chosen as the Pitch Contestant to represent Springfield College in the annual Elevator Pitch Contest sponsored by local banks. Fifteen contestants are competing for a spot in the final round to be shown live during the virtual event.
“All of these students exhibit entrepreneurial spirit through their inventiveness and fortitude to pursue their businesses while they are full-time college students,” added Baran. “We are proud of their accomplishments and offer our support as they pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.”
The Spirit Awards are presented annually to students who have a business up and running, and they have received revenue from the business. For each of these awards, the students receive funds from the Grinspoon Charitable Foundation to recognize and award their entrepreneurial spirit.
Grinspoon EI participating colleges and universities include: American International College, Amherst College, Bay Path University, Elms College, Greenfield Community College, Hampshire College, Holyoke Community College, Mt. Holyoke College, Smith College, Springfield College, Springfield Technical Community College, University of Massachusetts, Western New England University, and Westfield State University.
Springfield College is an independent, nonprofit, coeducational institution founded in 1885. Approximately 4,100 students, including 2,500 full-time undergraduate students, study at its main campus in Springfield, Mass., and at its regional campuses across the country. Springfield College inspires students through the guiding principles of its Humanics philosophy – educating in spirit, mind, and body for leadership in service to others.
