This year, the Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurship at the Silberman College of Business at Fairleigh Dickinson University, celebrates something special. On April 2nd, the Institute will hold a gala honoring its 25thanniversary, recognizing many of its accomplishments, yet looking to the future.
Beginning with a new name, the Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, other changes are now underway to take the Institute into the future as it responds to a changing education landscape. The name change is intended to reflect that innovation and entrepreneurship go hand-in-hand, stressed Ethné Swartz, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Innovation and Strategic Initiatives for the college. She is one of three associate deans reporting to Dean Andrew J. Rosman, Ph.D, and she will have a key role in implementing the changes that have been laid out by the Dean and the Silberman College Board.
“Our program has always had a two-pronged approach focusing on both large and small companies that is reflective of the New Jersey business ecosystem. For our 25th anniversary, we wanted the name of the Institute to reflect what we’ve already been doing,” said Swartz. “It is the right time to memorialize it.”
Fairleigh Dickinson University was one of the first higher education institutions to set up a center entirely dedicated to teaching, research, and outreach in entrepreneurship. Since its founding, the hallmark of the Rothman Institute has been its focus on bringing in the top thought leaders on innovation and entrepreneurship. Guest speakers in its “Leadership Series” included Fred Hassan, CEO of Schering Plough, Daniel Vasella, CEO of Novartis, Andrea Jung, CEO of Avon, and Clayton Christensen, the distinguished Harvard Business School author on innovation and entrepreneurship. All reflect Rothman’s focus on the entrepreneurial ecosystem and its commitment to making it possible for students to develop skill sets that prepare them for careers in large companies, as well as becoming entrepreneurs. Additionally, the Rothman Institute has a renowned history of offering high quality family business education and recognition, as well as focusing on women’s, veterans’ and youth entrepreneurship programs.
“In the world of entrepreneurship, large and small companies coexist. We realize that the New Jersey economy is impacted by companies of all sizes,” said Swartz. Last year, Silberman College of Business, supported by the Rothman Institute, created an internship program that sends students to both corporations and small businesses. The program puts them on a very clear path, and according to Swartz, students graduate with an entrepreneurial mindset that is valuable to both large and small companies.
In addition, the relationship between the Rothman Institute and the ten year old Institute for Sustainable Enterprise is becoming closer; the executive directors will work with Associate Dean Swartz to forge collaboration across outreach programs, research and teaching.
“We see many advantages to infusing our entrepreneurship activities with a focus on sustainability. We are revising our undergraduate curriculum to offer minors in both areas and will make these minors available to FDU’s business and non-business students,” said Swartz.
The collaboration between disciplines is intended to give students even more options when pursuing a business career path. Swartz points out that this type of collaboration is a growing trend in education. While the collaborating programs add new minors and fields of study, certificates will still be offered through the Silberman College of Business.
“What we’re finding is that companies value students who pursue entrepreneurship and combine it with studies in other areas such as engineering, filmmaking, etc. New things come about by emphasizing collaboration among departments and schools,” said Swartz.
The gala is not only a celebration of 25 years of success, it also marks a new path forward for Rothman that is responsive to emerging trends in both business and education and will better prepare students for successful careers.
The gala will take place at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park and will feature a keynote address from Robert Hugin, CEO of Celgene Corporation as well as remarks by State Senator Robert Gordon and Michelle Brown, CEO of Choose New Jersey..
To learn more about the event, visit www.fdu.edu/rothman
