History

In 2006-07, UNCG participated in the preparation of a proposal to be submitted by the UNC System to the Kauffman Foundation. Although the System elected to not submit the proposal, writing it revealed widespread interest in and enthusiasm for teaching entrepreneurship on this campus. Building on the momentum created by that initial effort, BELL (Building Entrepreneurial Learning for Life) began in the fall of 2007. The purpose and mission of this initiative was to weave entrepreneurship into the fabric of the university by fueling the entrepreneurial spirit, thinking and actions of students and faculty across the campus by fostering a culture of creative confidence, competence, and courage. We defined entrepreneurship as the process of creating new enterprises that are sustainable and build value; whether for-profit or not-for-profit, economic, social, artistic, cultural, educational or intellectual.

A campus-wide interdisciplinary effort BELL was coordinated by an Executive Committee comprising the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (Dr. Tim Johnston), the Associate Provost for Research and Public / Private Sector Partnerships (Dr. Rosemary Wander), and the Dean of the Bryan School of Business and Economics (Dr. Jim Weeks). A multi-discipline faculty Advisory Committee met periodically with the Executive Committee to provide input and suggest new directions. BELL was funded by the Chancellor, Provost, the Executive Committee, and gifts from the external community, including a generous gift from Mrs. Pat Cross.

The past two years have been characterized by a very rapid rate of growth and participation across campus. BELL exposed students to the world of starting and operating businesses in diverse academic disciplines from the arts to technology. BELL offered a range of educational, research and outreach opportunities, including an undergraduate minor in entrepreneurship (Bryan School of Business and Economics); undergraduate and graduate courses in entrepreneurship in various disciplines; development grants to faculty wishing to create new courses; support for student and faculty research on entrepreneurship; entrepreneurship education for students and faculty; public forums to educate the campus and community about entrepreneurship; lectures by visiting experts in various types of entrepreneurship; and workshops, symposia, and panels. To be successful in the new century, all students will need the opportunity to acquire a combination of creative thinking, technical proficiency, business expertise and communication skills.

As a natural progression to the work begun by BELL, on April 16th, 2009 the university Board of Trustees approved the formation of the North Carolina Entrepreneurship Center (NCEC). Under the directorship of Dr. Dianne Welsh, the NCEC will expand entrepreneurial connections in the region, state and beyond by helping entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses while continuing to provide entrepreneurial support and programming for the on-campus community. Please visit our Vision and Missions page for more information on the NCEC.