Riata Faculty Fellows selected for 2013-14

Friday, September 13, 2013

The Riata Center for Entrepreneurship in the Spears School of Business has announced the Riata Faculty Fellows for the 2013-2014 school year. The Riata Fellows Program is a core component of the university-wide entrepreneurship initiative, where the entrepreneurial mindset and core entrepreneurship concepts are applied to disciplines across the campus.

“I’m excited to say that this year's Riata Fellows program features a new model for new initiatives when it comes to inter-disciplinary collaboration. Our selected fellows bring with them innovative projects, new networks, and is a true reflection of how entrepreneurship really works in the real word,” said Craig Watters, interim director of the Riata Center for Entrepreneurship.

“I believe this year's fellows will be the most impactful group we have ever had, and we look forward to seeing the projects, courses, commercialization and student involvement that is to come.”

Launched in December 2009, the program offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurial faculty from any discipline or academic area to be jointly appointed in the School of Entrepreneurship. Fellows are typically appointed for two to three years to work on research, curriculum development or outreach initiatives that link their home discipline to entrepreneurship.

The fellows come together for a major forum each year to share progress and outcomes from their respective projects. They also contribute to ongoing discussions regarding cross-disciplinary applications of entrepreneurship, and the development of OSU as an entrepreneurial university. The fellows application is a competitive one, and if selected fellows are provided with research support and funds.

The 2013-14 Riata Faculty Fellows are:

Lloyd Caldwell in the Theater Department is writing a book on Arts Entrepreneurship.

Joe Cecil in the Industrial Engineering Department is working on providing early exposure on engineering subjects to K-12 students through virtual reality and engineering workshops.

Phil Choo in the Art Graphic Design & Art History Department is currently expanding his research interests in 3D functional objects and graphic user interface design for apps.

Adam Cobb in the Natural Resource Ecology and Management Department is working on improving the livelihoods of farmers by reducing fertilizer costs through ecological drivers.

Anne-Marie Condacse in the Music Department is working towards the development of an Entrepreneurship in the Arts Internship program.

Mihyun Kang in the Design, Housing, and Merchandising Department is working on the development of curricular for the Interior Design and Entrepreneurship program.

Kevin Lair at Indiana University is exploring design thinking and the role of language in the innovation process.

Don Luper at the State Fair Community College in Missouri is a 2013-2014 Riata Faculty Fellow.

Jennifer Mayo in the School of Education is working on creating health products for developing countries, such as reusable condoms, catheters and gloves.

Elizabeth Payne in the School of Entrepreneurship is working on interdisciplinary entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial outreach at OSU.

Mary Ruppert-Stroescu in the Design, Housing, Merchandising Department is researching the feasibility of a Design Lab Incubator as well as enhancing a cross campus initiative, the Center for Wearable Electronic Sensing Systems.

Dan Tilley in the Agricultural Economics Department is working on the integration of agricultural economics and entrepreneurship courses, as well as increasing student employment through the New Product Development Center and Inventor’s Assistance Service.

Ranji Vaidyanathan in the Materials Science & Engineering Department is working with the Helmerich Research Center faculty to develop a major research and technology transfer thrust in polymers and composite materials.

Ginger Welch in theHuman Development & Family Science Department is working on a feasibility study for establishing a nationally accredited fine arts-based preschool affiliated with Oklahoma State University.

To read more information on the Riata Faculty Fellows please visit http://entrepreneurship.okstate.edu/riata/faculty-fellows/.