Miller School of Entrepreneurship inducts 26 into degree program

Miller School entrepreneurship inducteed with Dennis Barber III and Fielding Miller

Entrepreneurship inductees who participated in Sept. 16 ceremonies.

The Miller School of Entrepreneurship in the College of Business held its second induction ceremony Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, in the ECU Main Student Center. In total, the Miller School welcomed 26 students who plan to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship degree within the next two years.

The inducted students include:

Emilie Agan Carlos DeLuna Melchor
Katherine Arden Daniel Meyers
Corrine Baillie Chase Osborne
Anry Brown Jadalyn Person
Rileigh Cardin Katie Rowland
Matthew Colavito Tyler Satterfield
Aiden Hambrick Grant Smith
Jackson Hartman James Stephenson
Hassara James Wesley Tamer
Cara Jett Conner Whisnant
Oliver Jones Samuel White
Jeffrey Lanier Cynthia Wood
Jenniah McNeil Logan Worthy
Fielding Miller speaks at induction ceremony

Fielding Miller

Miller School acting director Dr. Dennis Barber III welcomed inductees and families to the celebration. Dr. Mike Harris, interim dean of East Carolina University’s College of Business, congratulated the inductees on behalf of the COB. Fielding Miller (BSBA ’84), CEO and co-founder of CAPTRUST, was also on hand and provided advice to whom he called “future job creators.”

“I continue to be pleasantly surprised with the progress of the Miller School and the quality of its students,” said Miller. “Special thanks to the outstanding leadership Mike Harris has provided the School since its inception. Dennis Barber is poised and ready to continue its tremendous pace of progress.”

Chesson Fellows

For the second time in as many years, students named as Chesson Fellows were recognized. The Chesson Fellows program, a scholarship program for entrepreneurship majors, is named in honor of Chip Chesson, who graduated with a BSBA in 1966. Chesson, who was at the ceremony, said the scholarships that are a part of the program are a way for him to give back. He says he likes where the program is headed.

A brass compass in a wooden box.

Each inductee was awarded a compass, which serves as an important tool for Pirates as they build a course of action for their lives. The Miller School uses this gift to symbolize our dedication to assisting our students in designing their strategic directions and keeping them on course.

“There’s a light in their eyes that just excites me,” said Chesson.

This year’s Chesson Fellows include Katherine Arden, Cara Jett, Daniel Meyers, Katie Rowland and James Stephenson.

“I am extremely grateful to be selected as a Chesson fellow,” said Rowland. “Being selected as a fellow and having professors point out the potential they see in you is a special opportunity. It is one that drives me to work harder, challenge myself, and work to create something that serves a bigger population than just me.”

Added Rowland, “I want to be able to give back to the community that has so graciously given to me. Meeting Mr. Chesson was a unique opportunity; it was special to get the chance to meet someone who is also dedicated to giving back and seeing students grow and be challenged. I am extremely grateful for his efforts to serve the students of the entrepreneurship program.”

“The Miller School team is very proud of the new class of inductees,” said Barber. “They were chosen for the degree program as part of a selection process, which included an application where they explained their visions for an entrepreneurial career. These students are the future of our program as nothing represents us better than our students.”

The Miller School of Entrepreneurship held its first Entrepreneurship Induction Ceremony Sept. 9, 2021.

Chip Chesson with Katie Rowland and Dennis Barber

From left to right, Chip Chesson, Katie Rowland and Dennis Barber, III