One of the strengths of the entrepreneurship programs is found in its dedicated faculty and administrators. As Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Brent Nicholson, has become responsible for overseeing the entrepreneurship academic programs for the College. Dr. Nicholson has had extensive experience with the entrepreneurship program in the past, serving as its former director. He also has been teaching entrepreneurship courses since the program’s inception.

Several faculty members outside the CBA are also teaching and working with the program on different aspects of the entrepreneurship initiative, including:

Dr. Earl McKinney, Management Information Systems

Dr. Mary Ellen Benedict, Economics

Dr. Nate Zeisler, Music

Dr. David Stott, Accounting

FIRST HAMILTON PROFESSOR OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Dr. Gene Poor, a professor of visual communication technology, a master teacher, and part owner of LifeFormations, was selected as the first Ernest and Dorothy Hamilton Professor of Entrepreneurship at Bowling Green State University. Poor has taught at BGSU since 1972 and has been teaching courses in the entrepreneurship minor degree program for the past couple of years for the College of Business Administration.

Poor was also honored for his dedication to students by receiving the 2004 Master Teacher Award, the highest honor given to faculty, which was presented by the BGSU Student Alumni Association.

Outside the classroom, he pioneered technology in the field of animatronics and has been highly recognized for his excellent entrepreneurship endeavors. His company, LifeFormations, is world-renowned for designing and building static and animated characters for more than 400 businesses and 100 museums and science centers.  Besides being part owner, Poor also serves as the “chief imagination officer” for the company. In addition, Poor was named the 2004 winner of the northwest Ohio Entrepreneur of the Year Award presented by the accounting firm Ernst & Young.