Corns Business and Entrepreneurial Scholars Program

The Program

The Corns Business and Entrepreneurial Scholars program encourages and nurtures the business and entrepreneurial ambitions of Ohio Wesleyan students. Corns Scholars combine classroom knowledge with the spontaneity of daily business applications and challenges, putting them a step ahead in the business world with future employers.

Corns Scholars

  • take specific courses designed to develop business and entrepreneurial skills, 
  • complete a pre-approved internship that links economic and business theory with real-world practices,
  • interact with business leaders,
  • compete in business plan competitions,
  • receive $5,000 scholarship both junior and senior academic years, and 
  • learn from faculty who are experienced entrepreneurs.

The Scholarship

Named in memory of the former president of Roadway Express, Richard W. Corns, and funded through a $1 million endowment from the GAR Foundation, the Corns Business and Entrepreneurial Scholars Program provides at least 10 junior and senior students with $5,000 in scholarship per academic year, in addition to all other current financial aid.

Eligibility

Students apply to be Corns Scholars at the end of their second year. The primary criteria for acceptance into this program include:

  • Academic performance, including a minimum GPA of 3.0 as of application date
  • Proven leadership in campus or community service organizations that would suggest the potential for future achievement in business or as an entrepreneur. 
  • This program is open to all majors.

Administration and Evaluation

The Program is administered by The Woltemade Center for Economics, Business Entrepreneurship. Students' progress will be reviewed at the end of every semester by the Selection and Review Committee. Upon successful completion of the program, each student will be recognized as being a Corns Business and Entrepreneurial Scholar in the printed graduation program.

Application Forms 

Applications will be open: Spring 2025

By the time they graduate, Corns Scholars will complete the following:

Courses

  • Principles of Accounting (ACCT 217)
  • Principles of Marketing (BUS 120)
  • Financial Statement Analysis (FIN 280)
  • Financial Management (FIN 331 OR 361)
  • Entrepreneurship (BUS 425)
  • Independent Study/Directed Reading (BUS 490/491)

Corns Scholars will participate in at least one internship and one independent study; the independent study can be replaced with an additional internship. Internships will be obtained or approved by The Woltemade Center for Economics, Business, and Entrepreneurship. Internships may be taken for one semester during the school year or during the summer. An Independent Study/Directed Reading (BUS 490A) can be taken for academic credit and under the supervision of both an OWU professor and possibly an outside entrepreneur or business professional who is approved by The Woltemade Center.

Corns Scholars will also be required to fulfill the following, in addition to their student plan: 

  • attend one business or entrepreneurial-themed lecture or event per semester of both junior and senior academic years,
  • submit a research paper for the Burton D. Morgan Entrepreneurship Student Paper Competition during their junior academic year, participate in Pitch OWU their senior year, and
  • attend a campus or local DEI workshop or event per semester of both junior and senior academic years.

For more information, please contact Corns Business and Entrepreneurial Scholars program Faculty Coordinator Prof. Jon Younkman.