UNI JPEC CBA Student Entrepreneur of the Year
The University of Northern Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center's College of Business Administration Student Entrepreneur of the Year is awarded annually in the spring semester to a UNI student entrepreneur majoring in accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, MIS, Real Estate, MaCC or MBA who is admitted to the College of Business Administration and who owns and runs an independent small business which has demonstrated sales and definable goals preferably outlined in the form of a business plan, a marketing plan, or a feasibility study. Certain exceptions may be made for exceptionally meritorious entrepreneurial achievement other than starting a small business. The award is presented to the student at the College of Business Administration's annual spring recognition banquet.
On April 3, the College of Business Administration (CBA) at the University of Northern Iowa announced the award of two UNI CBA John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) Student Entrepreneur of the Year Awards to students who have demonstrated success in running small businesses. The award includes a $200 cash prize for each student entrepreneur.
Stephen Rausch of Iona, a senior Supply Chain Management major received the award for his business, Rausch Brothers Trucking. Rausch Brothers Trucking is a family-owned trucking business which has grown to become one of Iowa's largest sub-contractors in the construction and agricultural lime industries. He is currently in the process of diversifying the company into handling commercial freight. Rausch donated his cash award to the UNI Student Business Incubator to help other student entrepreneurs start their own businesses.
"It is not only a great honor to accept this award from a great organization that is the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, but also a great privilege to work beside some of the finest individuals who are pioneering tomorrow's businesses," said Rausch. "The people are great, the support and help is there, and it gives you a chance to take your ideas to the next level."
Mark Watje of Cedar Falls, a senior Marketing Management major and owner of JIT Truck Parts also received an award for the development of his small business. JIT Truck Parts specialize in providing advanced delivery of parts for truck and equipment manufacturers in Iowa, Southern Minnesota, and Eastern Illinois. Watje is currently developing a line of lights for trucks and trailers and plans to expand product offerings in the future.
"I've been very stretched between school, a part time sales job, and starting my own business. This award makes me feel that my hard work hasn't gone unnoticed. I really look forward to continuing my entrepreneurial efforts with JPEC," said Watje. "This award serves as a personal reminder for what I can accomplish with my business."
The annual award is given to outstanding UNI student entrepreneurs admitted to the CBA who own and operate an independent small business which has demonstrated sales and definable goals. The award is presented at the CBA's annual spring recognition ceremony.
Joseph Eibes of Carter Lake, a senior graphic communications major and owner of Theater by Demand and J & J Services (a window washing company), received the UNI JPEC's College of Business Administration Student Entrepreneur of the Year award for his work in the entrepreneurship program and with his two businesses. The award comes with a $200 cash prize. Eibes has been in the JPEC's Student Business Incubator since the fall of 2007. He is a member of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization and he will graduate from UNI with a Certificate in Entrepreneurship.
Ben Frein, who is a senior majoring in computer science and finance at the University of Northern Iowa, and Dustin O'Leary, who is a senior marketing major, are the recipients of UNI's John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center's (JPEC) 2007 Student Entrepreneur of the Year award. The award, which was presented on April 19, 2007, at the College of Business Administration's gala, comes with a $200 cash prize for each owner.
Frein and O'Leary are from Garner and have been business partners since high school. They are the owners of E-Holdings, a business in the UNI Student Business Incubator. E-Holdings is the parent company of BellyBling.net, an e-commerce site for belly button rings, and a new company whose product is a Facebook application. Frein and O'Leary were also selected as one of the state winners of the Pappajohn New Venture Business Plan Competition held in Des Moines on March 29, 2007.
Carlos Argeullo, who is a senior marketing major at the University of Northern Iowa, is the recipient of UNI's John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center's (JPEC) Student Entrepreneur of the Year award. The award comes with a $200 cash prize.
Arguello is from Caroll and originally from Nicaragua. He owns two businesses that are operating in the Student Business Incubator run by the UNI JPEC. One business is a Spanish/English translation and interpretation business focusing primarily on the banking, medical, and legal industries and the other business is a Spanish-language newspaper for Western Iowa that he hopes will eventually serve all of Iowa. He is a member of the Iowa Council for International Understanding and a member of UNI's Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization. He previously worked at Veridian Credit Union and has an internship this summer with Principal Financial in Des Moines.
Russell Hotchkiss, who graduated in May from the University of Northern Iowa with a major in finance, is the recipient of UNI's John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center's Student Entrepreneur of the Year award. The award comes with a $200 cash prize. It was presented to Hotchkiss at the College of Business Administration's Spring Gala.
Hotchkiss, while a UNI student, purchased Waterloo Fire Extinguisher in 2001 from a local family. He brought new energy to the company and has more than doubled revenue, services, trucks, and employees. The company remains more than one year ahead of its revenue goals and is making plans to purchase three competitors within the next year.
Being an entrepreneur and a student simultaneously has been a challenge and a substantial test of character and will. However, Hotchkiss made a promise to his mother before her death in December of 1993 that he would be the first in the family to obtain a college degree.
Hotchkiss has taken the cash award and matched it with funds from his company. That money has been sent to Peoria, Illinois, for the college fund of Keenan Gienau. Keenan Gienau is nine-years-old and the son of Hotchkiss's high school friend, Brian Gienau, of Tripoli. Brian Gienau was killed in Iraq on February 27, 2005. The last time Hotchkiss saw Brian Gienau was in the fall of 2003, when the two were in a marketing class together.
Photo Caption: Russell Hotchkiss (left) and JPEC Director Randy Pilkington.