Global entrepreneurship week

Students at Southeast Missouri State University and members of the community will help celebrate the fourth annual Global Entrepreneurship Week beginning Nov. 11.

Sandra Cabot, assistant director of outreach for the Douglas C. Greene Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and coordinator for Global Entrepreneurship Week, said that activities are provided for students and the public to raise awareness of the opportunities for entrepreneurship that can be achieved at any economic level. The CIE began planning for the week nearly nine months in advance.

In a press release from the CIE, Dr. James Stapleton, executive director of the CIE and associate professor of management, said, "Global Entrepreneurship Week is an initiative that inspires people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity -- to think big; to turn their ideas into reality; to make their mark."

There are many different speakers, networking events and contests over the course of the week that will appeal to students, business leaders, employees and employers.

"We look for speakers that have a relevant message, not only to entrepreneurship but also strikes a chord with the students and faculty," Cabot said.

The week begins with the Women Inspiring eNtrepreneurship program on Nov. 11 and 12 in Glenn Auditorium. At these events, women from around the Midwest meet to discuss business goals and achievements. Information for WIN! can be found at www.semo.edu/win.

Karla Bakersmith, a Southeast alumna and CEO, will give the keynote address for Global Entrepreneurship Week at noon Monday, Nov. 14 in Glenn Auditorium. Clifton Taulbert, entrepreneur and author of "Who Owns the Ice House?" will present at the same time and place on Tuesday, Nov. 15. Both speakers are part of the University Speakers Series.

Finalists for the BIG Idea Competition will present on Nov. 15. The BIG Idea is an opportunity for students with business plans to win money for development. Cabot explained that competitors were asked five questions about their idea upon entering. Those with the best answers will move on to the final round where they will present an "elevator pitch" in front of a panel of judges to tell them why their idea is the next BIG Idea.

The Fault-Line Film Festival will have its second anniversary on Wednesday, Nov. 16.

"The Fault-Line Festival is a cross-campus initiative for Southeast students to work together," Cabot said. "Anyone can develop a short film to submit to the Fault-Line. It's not just mass communication students, theater students -- it's anyone."

Steven Poster, cinematographer for films such as "Donnie Darko" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," will speak at noon at the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall at the River Campus.

The Fault-Line Film Festival Gala will be at 7 p.m. at Rose Theatre where the People's Choice Award will be presented as well as the winning Southeast entries.

Another Southeast alumnus will visit the university on Thursday, Nov. 17. Billy Dodson will be at Kent Library at 6 p.m. to talk about his experiences as a naval officer, artist and entrepreneur.

Cabot hopes that many different areas of campus will join the CIE during Global Entrepreneurship Week and give their ideas.

"It's an opportunity to put the spotlight on the wide range that entrepreneurship can change lives and society," Cabot said. "It's the way it changes lives and mindsets. It has the ability for people to change lives as well as have impact on lives."

For more information on Global Entrepreneurship Week contact James Stapleton