Spears School assists disabled veteran entrepreneurs
Friday, March 2, 2012
Like many brave men and women, Joe Collins faithfully served his country as a member
of the U.S. Army Reserves. He was part of the first wave deployed in Operation Iraqi
Freedom
in 2003.
When he returned home, Collins suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Cynde Collins-Clark says her son’s illness was so severe he barely left his bed for three years. Collins eventually visited a treatment facility and saw a counselor. He is working hard to begin his life anew. To help him reach his goals, Collins attended the Spears School’s Veterans Entrepreneurship Program.
“It was extremely difficult for him because of the degree and severity of his illness,
but he said it was one of the most awesome and unbelievable programs he has ever attended,”
Collins-Clark says. “I attended his graduation night, and it was one of the most honoring
events I have ever been to
for veterans.”
The program is an intensive entrepreneurial boot camp aimed at empowering disabled U.S. veterans. Sponsored by the Spears School’s Riata Center for Entrepreneurship, the annual program seeks to equip veterans with the resources they need to turn their business ideas into workable models.
“The evidence makes it clear that disabled veterans statistically have more difficulty in accessing resources and networks when they start businesses, which creates higher barriers to success,” says Michael H. Morris, head of the entrepreneurship school. “As a country, we must do more to help those who have paid such a price for our freedom.”
Participants complete an online self-study session, an intense eight-day session at OSU and a 10-month mentoring period.
“Like a military boot camp, this program is intense, rigorous and challenging,” says Morris, a veteran. “Building upon key elements of OSU’s comprehensive entrepreneurship curriculum, the program consists of training modules designed to assist veterans in creating a business that can be profitable.”
Forty-two veterans came to OSU’s Stillwater campus Jan. 29 through Feb. 5. The participants were exposed to all aspects of venture creation from successful entrepreneurs and faculty from OSU’s entrepreneurship school and other schools across the country.
At the closing graduation ceremony, retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Joseph Ralston addressed the participants and their families. Ralston served as Supreme Allied Commander in Europe for NATO, commander for the U.S. European Command and vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The OSU program provided free transportation, accommodation, books, food and instruction.
OSU alumni and supporters donated thousands of dollars to help make
it possible.