President Richardson and the Westminster Entrepreneurship Lab’s first cohort of students, from left Bobby Noble, C.J. Armstrong, and A.J. Bove, cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the WEL on April 27. Not pictured is fellow entreprenuer Kaitlyn Nicholson.
Supporting student startups Hermitage incubator to foster young entrepreneurs By ELIZABETH FONTAINE HILDEBRAND ’92
W
ith the opening of the Westminster Entrepreneurship Lab (WEL), student entrepreneurs will now have a space to help them grow their ideas and their businesses—and give them a running start following graduation. Located 10 miles north of campus at the eCenter at LindenPointe in Hermitage, a non-profit development corporation, the WEL serves as an entrepreneurial incubator and creativity lab for students serious about starting their own businesses. The WEL’s select students, chosen by the School of Business faculty, will have access to the eCenter’s resources—office space, expert mentorships, investment opportunities, legal and financial counsel and professional networks. “WEL enhances what students are learning in the classroom by providing off campus space where students can put 6 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
their classroom knowledge to practical use as they focus on developing their businesses,” said Jesse R. Ligo Jr., professor of accounting and chair of the School of Business. “Speaking with the professional, legal, and financial advisers available at the eCenter, students can expand their understanding of specific topics necessary for a successful business.” The first cohort of students—C.J. Armstrong, A.J. Bove, Kaitlyn Nicholson and Bobby Noble—were the first to take advantage of the WEL’s offerings. And while all four were majoring in business-related fields, Ligo is quick to point out the WEL is open to all majors at Westminster College. “Entrepreneurship is certainly not just for business majors. Westminster’s School of Business desires to promote entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial spirit campus wide,” said Ligo. “Any student in any major may have an idea for
