A $135,000 gift from Robert and Julie Skandalaris will
fund an endowment for the EMU College of Business Student
Business Plan Competition. The annual competition
brings together area high school, community college and
university students who prepare business plans for a business
they hope to create. The top three high-school winners
and top three college winners are awarded cash prizes to
assist them in executing their plans.
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Skandalaris |
"Michigan must maximize its available resources in order
to climb out of its current economic state. Foremost among
these resources is the imagination and talent of our young
people," said Robert J. Skandalaris. "Properly trained
and motivated to become entrepreneurs, these future business
leaders will guide Michigan into new and exciting industries.
This gift will ensure that EMU continues to serve as a
place where young entrepreneurs look to nurture and develop
their skills and explore new opportunities."
The contest began in 2008 as part of the Sesi Collegiate
Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO) Conference, which takes
place annually at the EMU College of Business. The CEO
is a national student organization. In 2009, 100 business
plans were submitted to the Sesi CEO Conference Student
Business Plan Competition. David Mielke, dean of the EMU
College of Business, is thrilled to see engagement between
the business community and EMU.
"The business plan competition has become an important
part of our entrepreneurship program. It exemplifies our
efforts to engage students from southeast Michigan to help
generate new ideas and eventually new companies to transform
Michigan's economy. We greatly appreciate
the Skandalaris' commitment to the students to make this
happen," Mielke said.
Skandalaris is an author, philanthropist and
entrepreneur. He has founded several public and private
companies, including corporate investor Quantum Ventures
of Michigan, LLC, a privately held company specializing
in the acquisition and development of middle-market firms.
Skandalaris received his master's degree in accounting
from EMU and his bachelor's degree in finance from Michigan
State University.
The gift ensures the continuation of the competition,
which remains a major focus of the CEO conference. The
College of Business offers entrepreneurship programs at
both the undergraduate and graduate level.
