Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Sean Roberts/Alestle Sonya Froehling, who works at Northwestern Mutual, spoke with people interested entreprenuership Tuesday in the Dogwood Room.

Media Credit: Sean Roberts/Alestle Dan Boynton, St. Teresa High School teacher, spoke with people interested in entreprenuership Tuesday in the Dogwood Room.

This Friday, SIUE Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization members will go to the Finance Park in Chesterfield, Mo., to educate high school students about entrepreneurship, capping off Global Entrepreneurship Week.

SIUE's CEO chapter was recently revitalized, according to freshman business administration major and CEO Marketing Director Matthew McElwee.

"We wanted to come out with a bang almost, where we wanted to make sure we were putting on events and making our name known here on campus during this week," McElwee said.

CEO co-founder and junior economics and finance major Drew Foster said approximately four students volunteered to educate the youth.

Also included in the week is a hot dog eating contest at 11 a.m. in the Goshen Lounge Thursday where students can compete to win an Xbox 360.

"We're actually going to the Finance Center in Missouri, and we'll be [talking] about the idea of entrepreneurship, providing our experiences that we've had and giving a college student's perspective to the younger generation, in respect to starting a business," Foster said.

The group wants to increase awareness of entrepreneurship as a vital part of the economy, along with helping the younger generation realize their goals before it is too late, according to Foster.

"Why would you work for someone other than yourself when you are the biggest asset that you have? If you go through life, and you put in 40 hours a week, but it's for somebody else, is that truly living? Is that truly the life you want to have?" Foster said. "And if I could leave a lasting impression … it would be that [entrepreneurship] is the heartbeat of the economy and in the truest sense, entrepreneurship is leadership."

CEO member and freshman psychology major Matt Murphy said he has high hopes as Friday's high school outreach approaches.

"[I] hope to open a few eyes to business and to show that when you have an idea, you shouldn't let it go," Murphy said.

According to McElwee, when SIUE students speak to the high school students, it will be in a presentation form, with the possibility for one on one discussion.

"A lot of high school students don't really know much about [entrepreneurship], and if they have an interest, they need to get the knowledge … I think the key focus would be just to educate them, give them some pointers on what it is and how to get started," McElwee said.

Other events early in the week included an "Amazing Race" style competition, which Washington University in St. Louis hosted, an informational table in the Morris University Center and an entrepreneurship round table discussion, according to McElwee.

Murphy said he hopes that talking to students will create interest in entrepreneurship because it is not just for those interested in business; it benefits everyone.

"As entrepreneurs, our duty is to give back to the community. If not for the community, we wouldn't exist," Murphy said.

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