An Economic Engine

Don Upson is quick to give all the credit to his students, but it's no coincidence that year after year his students launch successful startups. The success of Shady Peeps, FloraGenex, Perpetua Power, Innovative Sports Strategies, Sunburst, and dozens more is a testament to Don's teaching, dedication, and mentorship. In recognition of Upson's contributions to advancing the economic vitality of the state, the reputation of the college, and the lives of students, the college has honored Upson as the 2011 Thomas C. Stewart Distinguished Professor. Congratulations Don.

Venture Quest: The Winners Are In!

Cash prizes, plus the opportunity to get real-world feedback from area business leaders—these were the awards teams of entrepreneurship students competed for in the annual graduate Venture Quest this past December. Each team's presentation was followed by a rapid-fire Q&A with contest judges. The winning project? VisiRay, a unique pest-detection technology presented by Walther Buecklers, Andrew Cook, Matt Eskue, and Orit Ofr. Runner-up was ShadyPeeps, a student-launched company that has already sold 3,500 pairs of university-themed sunglasses.

Supwitchu . . . MBA Students?

Taking a cue from the success of "I Love My Ducks" on YouTube, our Oregon MBA students took a break from studying to create a viral video of their own. The video "Oregon MBA: Ride Your Bike There" provides an unfiltered perspective from some students about what they feel are unique qualities of our MBA program: active lifestyles, sustainability, entrepreneurial, camaraderie. Sounds kind of like the college's mission statement. It's also a fun video for alumni, reminding them of their college days.

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