Chapman University’s Entrepreneurship Programs Ranked Top Ten Nationally

Orange, CA (October 10, 2007) - Entrepreneur magazine and The Princeton Review released today the fifth annual ranking of the top 50 graduate and undergraduate entrepreneurship programs in the nation. Chapman University’s undergraduate entrepreneurship program is ranked #6 nationally and ranks highest in California in the 2007 ranking; this is up from a rank of #15 in the 2006 ranking.  Chapman University’s graduate entrepreneurship program is ranked #8 nationally in the 2007 ranking that is based upon a survey of 900 schools.

A nearly 30% increase in participating schools with this year's ranking underscores the growing number of entrepreneurial courses nationwide and the established mainstream appeal of business ownership. All 900 schools surveyed were evaluated based on key criteria in the areas of academics and requirements, students and faculty, and outside-the-classroom support and experiences. A total of 50 schools, 25 undergraduate and 25 graduate schools, made the list, with several others receiving honorable mentions.

The entrepreneurship program at Chapman University was founded in 1996 with the establishment of the Ralph W. Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics within the George L. Argyros School of Business and Economics.  Undergraduate and Graduate courses in entrepreneurship are offered within the Argyros School of Business and Economics along with entrepreneurship focused courses outside of the Argyros School of Business and Economics for graduate students in the MBA/JD, and joint MBA/MFA degree programs.

For students, alumni and Orange County businesses, the Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics provides resources for succeeding with both individual and corporate entrepreneurial pursuits (www.chapman.edu/argyros/innovate).  The center provides advice in start-up strategies, business and marketing plans, strategies for growing firms, and guidance in securing angel or venture capital funding.  Students are provided opportunities for participation in student organizations, entrepreneurial internships, business plan contests, consulting team projects, and mentorship programs. The Leatherby Center sponsors the Issues in Ethics Forum lectures, in addition to entrepreneurship speakers and SCORE Small Business Administration business start-up/growth workshops held on campus.

The Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics has received national and global attention from recent recognitions of success:

• Mike Brown, ‘2006 Alumni, 1st Place Award Global Student Entrepreneur Award from Entrepreneur’s Organization.  Received national and global college student magazine print and website exposure.
• Dr. P. K. Shukla, 1st Place Best Faculty Advisor Award out of all CEO (Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization) Chapters, 2006. Our CEO Chapter received a 2006 Best Chapter Award. 
• SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) Team, 1st Place Award in 2007 EntrepreneurshipWeek USA Post-It Challenge, in the Social Value Generated Category. Our SIFE teams have won several awards.
• Kona Girl Coffee Soda Team, Semi-Finalist, Jungle Media, MBA Jungle Magazine 2007 Business Plan Competition; one of 24 semi-finalist teams out of over 150 international business plan submissions.  Competed against: Harvard; UPenn, Wharton; MIT; UC Berkeley; U Chicago; Duke; Johns Hopkins, … 
• Kona Girl Coffee Soda Team, Semi-Finalist, University of San Francisco 2007 International Business Plan Contest; one of 19 semi-finalist teams out of several international business plan submissions. Competed against: Stanford, Yale, Carnegie Mellon, UC Berkeley, U of South Africa, Honk Kong U of Science and Technology,… 
• Led the Nation in Launch of 2007 EntrepreneurshipWeek USA with Countdown to Midnight EST Friday February 23, 2007 at our Orange, California campus.  Chapman University given the label of “Times Square of the Entrepreneurship World.”
• Held 1st Entrepreneurial Film Marathon on Friday February 23rd to Saturday February 24th, 2007. Chapman University is listed on entrepreneur.com website with their Entrepreneurial Films Slide Show.
• Hosted 2007 Western Region Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization Conference.  Keynote speaker, Paul Orfalea, founder of Kinko’s, September 20, 2007.
• Invited to Share Creative Ways of Promoting Entrepreneurship at 2007 National Consortium of Entrepreneurship Center Directors Conference October 4-6, 2007 Syracuse, New York.
• Selected as “Model Chapter” to Mentor Start-up/Growing Chapters at 2007 National CEO Conference November 1-3, Chicago.
• Partnership with Harvard Business School Entrepreneurship Students as West Coast Hub for StudentBusinesses.com start-up business network to link student entrepreneurs and investors nationally. P. K. Shukla is serving on the advisory board and as Entrepreneur Faculty Columnist; Mike Brown, is serving as Student Entrepreneur Columnist.

"For years now schools have been responding to student demand for competitive entrepreneurial programs," says Rieva Lesonsky, senior VP and editorial director of Entrepreneur magazine. “Strong alumni networks, emphasis on feasibility studies and activities for engaging in the local business community continue to be key points among entrepreneurs looking for programs that fit their needs."

The survey questions for the annual top colleges ranking are revisited each year to ensure that clear, concise and appropriate data is collected. Robert Franek of The Princeton Review says this year, "New questions allowed for more program-specific elements to come to the surface." This gives prospective students more of the essential information they need to start exploring programs that can prepare them for greater success in their business ventures.