Entrepreneurship Competitions

Steve and Bette Gibson have dedicated significant time and resources to education and promotion of entrepreneurship. Their generosity is widespread and far-reaching, including efforts in foreign countries. We appreciate their dedication to such a worthwhile cause and are pleased to offer a scholarship in the Gibson name.

$1580 will be awarded to three students each year

Qualifying Students
*must be a US Citizen
*must own an operating business, have previously owned a business,
or express desire for a business venture
*must be in good academic standing

Apply

The Blair Family supports SUU students majoring in a humanities major in learning about entrepreneurship. Students must meet two major qualifications:

First, they must be pursuing a major in the humanities. At SUU, qualifying majors include: English, History, Sociology, Anthropology, Philosophy, and French

Second, they must either be involved in a leadership capacity with an early-stage startup, and/or taking a course with an ENTR prefix.

Apply

Requirements:

1. Be a member of one of the following:

• Individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+
• Racial minority
• Ethnic minority

2. Must be enrolled in a course with an ENTR prefix, or currently running a startup

Apply

For generations the Seegmiller Family has gained a cherished reputation for being patrons of, and participants in, the cultural heritage created by the community and SUU. Many members of the Seegmiller Family have also been successful entrepreneurs in the community and the region. The family has thrived economically because of the education we have received from the Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business.

The Seegmiller family believes that to preserve this valued cultural heritage for future generations, those talented in the Fine Arts must also learn the basics of Business and Entrepreneurship. For the Fine Arts to thrive, a combination of Entrepreneurial Spirit and Financial Management must be the foundation of any endeavor. We seek to give SUU students the same exceptional economic preparation for the future which we have received. Our goal is to create future leaders who will be wise participants and loving patrons of the Fine Arts in Southern Utah and beyond.

$500 will be awarded to 2 students each year to pay for 1 class in Sales, Entrepreneurship or any other class that is included in the Entrepreneurship Minor requirements. (While a student may chose to pursue an Entrepreneur Certificate or Minor, it is not a requirement for the scholarship.)

Qualifying Students
- Must be a US Citizen or have a current student visa / green card
- Must be in good academic standing
- Must carry a cumulative GPA of 2.67 or higher
- Must be majoring in one of the 3 departments listed below:
* Art/Design
* Music
* Theatre, Dance & Arts Administration

Apply

Lynn and Millie Abplanalp are passionate about a lot of things. Two of them being Outdoor Recreation and supporting entrepreneurs. Lynn and Millie met while working as wildland fire fighters for the U.S. Forest Service and their love of the outdoors still burns strong. They have been successful in business and by partnering with SUU and Center for Entrepreneurship they hope to encourage more outdoor enthusiasts to turn what they love into a viable business.

The purpose of this scholarship is to support students majoring in Outdoor Recreation who are aspiring to succeed as entrepreneurs.

$500 will be awarded to 5 students per year

Qualifying Students
*Students will be selected based primarily on commitment to entrepreneurial success
*A GPA of 3.0 or higher is required
*Must be seeking a bachelor's degree in Outdoor Recreation in Parks & Tourism (ORPT)
*Must be enrolled in a class with the ENTR prefix or a course required for an entrepreneurship certificate or minor. Enrollment can be in any of SUU's three semesters
*Must have financial need

Apply

Dennis and Jennifer “Jae” Sponer met at SUU in the early 1990’s when Dennis was a Political Science student and Jae was studying International Relations. Despite their experience in non-business majors, both Dennis and Jae believe passionately that any course of study can lead to a career in entrepreneurship. After SUU, Jae pursued an MBA from the University of San Diego and Dennis obtained his J.D. from Brigham Young University. The couple founded ScripNet in 1997, a national pharmacy benefit management company servicing health care clients nationwide. They sold their company in 2012 and now invest in health care and other related startups.

The Sponer Family Scholarship is a full tuition four year undergraduate scholarship for both business and non-business majors attending SUU and have demonstrated financial need.

The purpose of the scholarship is to award one outstanding non-resident student who had demonstrated financial need. The award will fund up to $13,000 in tuition each year for up to four years.

Qualifying Students
*Student grew up in a small town
*Registers for a minimum of 12 credits per semester
*Registers for and completes one class in Entrepreneurship each year, or agrees to earn
the SUU Certificate in Entrepreneurship
*May be enrolled in any College at SUU
*Has a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater
*Has demonstrated financial need

Apply

*Not accepting applications for the 2022/2023 Semesters*

The foundation supports public education, with an emphasis on higher education. The Kahlert Foundation believes children are the next generation of leaders and will have a significant impact on the future of our country. They emphasize education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs because people obtaining degrees in these areas can greatly benefit our local communities and economy.

The Kahlert STEM Scholarship is available for any STEM student who applies and is interested in
Entrepreneurship. Applicants will be reviewed and selected in consultation with the Entrepreneur Leadership Council (ELC).

$500 will be awarded to two qualifying students for Fall and Spring Semester

Qualifying Students

*must own an operating business, have previously owned a business, or taking an entrepreneurship class
*must be in good academic standing
*Must be a STEM Student

This scholarship is made possible through the support of Heather Kahlert.

Apply

Bradly and Jenie Labrum started their marriage at SUU in 1998 and fell in love with Cedar City and SUU. They spent hours and hours loving the outdoors and volunteering in the community. Their SUU blood runs very deep. Brad got a BS in Biology and an MBA at SUU. Jenie was in the dance program and completed her Associates Degree and a certificate at SUU. They attended SUU as non-traditional students on their own and needed any help they could get. This is the driving passion behind this non-traditional student scholarship.

Brad decided not to go to medical school and instead ventured down the path of entrepreneurship in putting everything on the line for a dream. Jenie has been a patient and unbelievable support to his passion. Together and individually, they have founded, co-founded, or invested in more than 15 business ventures. They both feel that the need for Entrepreneurship education is critical in any discipline.

They have been successful in business and by partnering with SUU and Larry H. and Gail Miller Center for Entrepreneurship they hope to encourage more non-traditional students from all disciplines to turn what they love into a viable business.

Apply