The Griggs Center for Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy recognized Startup Week with its annual ACU Entrepreneur Network Dinner Tuesday evening at the Hunter Welcome Center.
The event brought together visiting alumni and members of ACU’s chapter of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Association with fellowship and food. It gave students the opportunity to gain wisdom from experienced entrepreneurs to and hear their stories.
Students were given the opportunity to elect the entrepreneur they wanted to sit with before arriving, which provided an ideal opportunity for personalized Q&A with a professional in the student’s field of interest.
“I think that this event says a lot not only about the Griggs Center and their commitment to fostering entrepreneurship within ACU, but also about ACU’s alumni and their willingness to give back to people they don’t even know just because they are a part of the larger ACU community,” said Allison Phillips, senior marketing major from Abilene.
Phillips is the founder and CEO of A.R.G., a student-run market research firm that conducts primary and secondary research in order to help clients develop strategies to deal with whatever problems they may be facing.
Instead of following past traditions, this year one alumni served as a “host” for each table of CEO students and younger alumni and had the opportunity to speak about their experiences and give insight.
Among the various hosts was Elise Mitchell, CEO and founder of Mitchell Communications Group.
“I was very fortunate to have mentors in my life who told me I could build an agency of my own some day. There’s no ideal time to become an entrepreneur. You do it when the opportunity presents itself,” said Mitchell when chosen as a Distinguished Alumni Citation Recipient in 2011.
Mitchell graduated from ACU in 1983 and funded Morris & Mitchell, the university’s student-run advertising and public relations agency housed in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.
She said was excited about sharing the entrepreneurial journey of Mitchell Communications Group with the students and loved learning more about their ideas and plans for future businesses.
“I’m passionate about entrepreneurship and delighted to be participating in ACU Startup Week.”
