Thirty-five entrepreneurship educators from nine Oregon and southwest Washington colleges and universities gathered at the UO White Stag Block this past December.

Co-hosted by the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network and the Lundquist College of Business, the inaugural Entrepreneurial Education Event offered an afternoon of networking and information sharing.

The session kicked off with presentations on the academic entrepreneurial programs at Concordia University, Lewis & Clark College, Portland State University, Oregon State University, Portland State University, University of Oregon, University of Portland, Washington State University Vancouver, and Willamette University.

Seasoned entrepreneur Michael Crooke delivered the event's keynote speech. The Lundquist College's first-ever Avamere Professor of Practice, Crooke is the former CEO of Patagonia and Pearl Izumi, among others.

Co-organizer Nathan Lillegard envisions the gathering becoming an annual event.

“I can see this evolving into a true collaborative conference that presents both student experience programs at each school and highlights research efforts of faculty," said Lillegard, who is the program manager of the college's Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship.

“Some of our best entrepreneurs are going to learn about the process in their college classes. Understanding how all of the different schools fit in the ecosystem is crucial," added Lillegard.