9-20-04
SEMINAR ADDRESSES PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
A dozen business and engineering students from Penn State Behrend got some real-world insight during a weekend filled with new learning opportunities at the recent Product Development and Entrepreneurship Seminar. This year's seminar, part of a semester-long class developed by the college's Business and Engineering Education Partnership, took place at nearby Peek'n Peak Resort and featured speakers and activities designed to encourage innovation.
"Innovation is economic oxygen," said Patrick Kearney, chief information officer for the City of Erie, who addressed the students Saturday evening during their dinner program. He described the city's proposal to develop Keystone Innovation Zones, which will provide support and infrastructure for small start-up businesses based on new and innovative ideas.
Students also heard from John Beaumont, professor of engineering and founder of Beaumont Runner Technologies. Beaumont invented the Melt FlipperT, a technology that improves the plastic injection molding process, and has licensed the technology world-wide. Beaumont discussed the challenges faced in getting a patent, financing a new product, and licensing an invention.
Students at the workshop participated in team activities, sessions on brainstorming and process management, and workshops on market research and surveys. The seminar culminated in a brief presentation by each seminar team. Joe Snyder of Process and Data Automation spoke at the Sunday luncheon program about his entrepreneurial success story.
The weekend seminar was developed by Jana Goodrich, lecturer in management and marketing in Behrend's Black School of Business; Dr. Robert Weissbach, associate professor of electrical engineering technology; and Dr. Ralph Ford, associate professor of electrical, computer, and software engineering.
Penn State Behrend's Business and Engineering Education Partnership was highlighted this summer in a story by Associated Press reporter Charles Sheehan, who wrote that a number of universities are trying to solve a problem that has perplexed American business for decades-how to get engineering and business majors speaking the same language. In addition to the partnership, Behrend is building a $30 million academic building to house the schools of business and engineering. By putting faculty and students in the same location, the college aims for an entrepreneurial outcome.
Media Contact: Loretta Brandon 814-898-6063 lzb6@psu.edu