Financial Economics and Accounting Major Wins Edward Entrepreneurship Scholarship
Posted on Thursday, April 29, 2010
Ryan Brucker, a Westminster College sophomore financial economics and accounting major, won the 2010 David W. Edward Entrepreneurship Scholarship competition. The award includes a $2,500 academic scholarship.
The competition, conducted by Westminster's Department of Economics and Business and supported by funding from the Edward Trust in Youngstown, Ohio, requires students to prepare and present a business plan depicting the creation of a new or substantially improved business, product, service, or some combination of the three. The competition culminated April 16 in presentations of the top four business plans to a panel of judges.
Brucker's winning plan detailed the start-up of a golf entertainment center in a densely populated section of Pittsburgh's South Hills with a miniature golf course as the centerpiece. The plan outlined a well-researched cost and revenue analysis, as well as a realistic location and marketing plan capable of creating and supporting a successful family entertainment enterprise. A set of comprehensive financial projections summarized the expectations from both a start-up and a future growth perspective, according to the judges.
Brucker is a son of Wendell and Meryle Brucker of Bethel Park and a graduate of Bethel Park High School.
The other competition finalists were:
Donald McFarland, a junior business administration major, earned second place with a plan for a fitness complex in Tallahassee, Fla., that would offer specialized classes and personal trainers in combination with an indoor team-sport facility capable of supporting basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer, lacrosse, and similar team activities. Second place honors include a $1,500 academic scholarship. McFarland is a son of Robert and Susan McFarland of New Castle and a graduate of Neshannock High School.
Shawn Zentko, a junior business administration major, tied for third place with a plan for a residential landscape lighting business in southern Florida that would design and install exterior landscape lighting to accent homes' appearance and provide additional security. He earned a $1,000 academic scholarship. Zentko is a son of Stephen and Beverly Zentko of Poland, Ohio, and a graduate of Poland Seminary High School.
Andrew Anthony, a junior business administration major, tied for third place with a plan for a landscaping and lawn care service in Ohio's Mahoning Valley. The plan would capitalize on a growing market for spring-through-fall lawn maintenance and support its clients with off-season services that include leaf removal, snow plowing, and spring fertilization. Anthony also earned a $1,000 academic scholarship for his efforts. Anthony is a son of Richard Anthony of Kent, Ohio, and Stephanie Anthony of Poland, Ohio. He is a graduate of Poland Seminary High School.
Contact Dr. Gail Miller, Westminster professor of business, at (724) 946-7168 (e-mail millergl@westminster.edu) or David Smith, Westminster assistant professor of accounting, at (724) 946-7161 (e-mail smithdc@westminster.edu) for additional information.
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