The Program
The Corns Business and Entrepreneurial Scholars program encourages and nurtures the business and entrepreneurial ambitions of Ohio Wesleyan students. Corns Scholars combine classroom knowledge with the spontaneity of daily business applications and challenges, putting them a step ahead in the business world with future employers.
Corns Scholars
- take specific courses designed to develop business and entrepreneurial skills, culminating in a Senior Research Project,
- complete pre-approved internships that link economic and business theory with real-world practices,
- interact with business leaders,
- compete in business plan competitions,
- receive $5,000 scholarship both junior and senior academic years, and
- learn from faculty who are experienced entrepreneurs.
The Scholarship
Named in memory of the former president of Roadway Express, Richard W. Corns, and funded through a $1 million endowment from the GAR Foundation, the Corns Business and Entrepreneurial Scholars Program provides at least 10 junior and senior students with $5,000 in scholarship per academic year, in addition to all other current financial aid.
Eligibility
Students apply to be Corns Scholars at the end of their sophomore year. The primary criteria for acceptance into this program include:
- Academic performance, including a minimum GPA of 2.75 as of application date,
- Proven leadership in campus or community service organizations, and
- Experience that would suggest substantial potential for future achievement in business or as an entrepreneur.
- This program is open to all majors.
Administration and Evaluation
The Program is administered by The Woltemade Center for Economics, Business and Entrepreneurship. Students’ progress will be reviewed at the end of every semester by the Selection and Review Committee. Upon successful completion of the program, each student will be recognized as being a Corns Business and Entrepreneurial Scholar in the printed graduation program.
Application Forms -
Applications will be available in Spring 2023.
By the time they graduate, Corns Scholars will complete the following:
Courses
- Principles of Accounting (ACCT 217),
- Financial Statement Analysis (FIN 280),
- Marketing Management (BUS 210),
- Financial Management (FIN 361),
- Entrepreneurship (BUS 425),
- Senior Seminar (BUS 499)
- Independent Study/Directed Reading (BUS 490A) or Internship (BUS 495) on entrepreneurship.
Corns Scholars will participate in at least one internship and one independent study; the independent study can be replaced with an additional internship. Internships will be obtained or approved by The Woltemade Center for Economics, Business, and Entrepreneurship. Internships may be taken for one semester during the school year or during the summer. An Independent Study/Directed Reading (BUS 490A) can be taken for academic credit and under the supervision of both an OWU professor and possibly an outside entrepreneur or business professional who is approved by The Woltemade Center.
Corns Scholars will also be required to fulfill the following:
- attend one business or entrepreneurial-themed lecture or event per semester of both junior and senior academic years,
- submit a research paper for the Burton D. Morgan Entrepreneurship Student Paper Competition during their junior academic year, and
- attend a campus or local DEI workshop or event per semester of both junior and senior academic years.
