|
|
|
|
Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Michael Dingman to bring remarks at Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship’s 30-Year Anniversary and Awards Celebration at U of Maryland May 5
By Diane Phillips, DP&A
May 5, 2016 - 4:46:04 PM
|
Email this article
Mobile friendly page
|
Philip Simon, President of New Providence Development Co., civic and business leader, credits the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship for ‘invaluable exposure’ to the business world. Simon is one of two Bahamians who earned their MBAs in Entrepreneurship through the Center funded by a grant from visionary businessman and philanthropist Michael D. Dingman of The Bahamas.
Founding couple prove marriage and entrepreneurship go hand-in-hand
In a rare public speaking appearance, visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist Michael Dingman of The Bahamas will address students, faculty, business leaders and guests gathered for an awards ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business May 5.
But this time not all eyes will be on the 6'4" giant of a success story. Dingman plans to share honours with his wife, Betsy, who after decades of being his number one advisor in business is returning to entrepreneurial activities herself, partly to fund social benefits in The Bahamas like Historic Charles Towne and the Hurricane Joaquin Restoration Fund, and partly for harvesting a new crop -- bee hives. The Dingmans, accompanied by son David, will be guests of honour at the second annual “Rudy Awards.” Named for Dingman’s founder and former Smith School Dean Rudolph “Rudy” Lamone, the annual banquet honours the network of student and alumni entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and others who contribute to the award-winning center’s continued success that has consistently earned it plaudits from Princeton Review, Success Magazine, Entrepreneur and numerous online reviews and publications. Lamone founded the Dingman Center in 1986 with a generous grant from donor Michael D. Dingman, Chairman of Shipston Group and former President of Allied Signal and Fisher Scientific.
“We are very proud of the work the Dingman Center has contributed to innovation and creativity in business and especially pleased that Bahamian students like Philip Simon and Nedra Adams were able to earn their MBAs in Entrepreneurship at the Center,” said Mr. Dingman.
Simon, the former Executive Director of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, is the President of The New Providence Development Co. and serves on several civic and business boards. He credits the Dingman Center for preparing him for a future that involved leadership and opening doors in a way that a traditional business school may never have done.
“Words cannot adequately express the influence the Dingman Centre had upon my life and to this very day the love that I have for entrepreneurship,” said Simon, who serves on several corporate and civic boards including the Historic Bahamas Foundation and Junior Achievement. “The concept is at the heart of business and the impact of successful entrepreneurs changes the world every day. I am grateful to have been a part of the history to date of the Centre and the invaluable exposure it provided to me and so many others. “Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone”, so I SHOUT my appreciation to Charlie, Rudy, Sandra, and all those from the earlier days and most importantly, to Mike and Betsy who made it all possible.”
Michael and Betsy Dingman, pictured relaxing, will appear on stage when Mr. Dingman addresses students, faculty, business leaders and guests at the 30th anniversary of the vibrant and award-winning Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland this week. The surprise on the agenda from the man who presided over Allied Signal and Fisher Scientific and continues to serve as Chairman of the Shipston Group could deal with Mrs. Dingman's growing entrepreneurial activities, both as tools to fund social good and in assisting innovative businesses in The Bahamas and abroad.
|
Among players in the history of the Dingman Center who will also be in attendance are the Center’s first director Charlie Heller, former Managing Director Asher Epstein, present Managing Director Elana Fine and Dean Alexander Triantis.
“Thirty years ago Michael Dingman helped propel the University of Maryland to the forefront of entrepreneurship education,” said Fine. “We are honored that he and his family will join us to celebrate the accomplishments of our entrepreneurs and the legacy of our Center.” The Rudy Awards recognize the year’s top student entrepreneur of the year, alumni entrepreneur, angel investor, mentor, faculty member, social entrepreneur and the best research paper.
In February, the Dingman Center held its biggest Pitch Dingman Competition yet, increasing its grand prize to $15,000 in funding for a total of $30,000 in prizes to Terp entrepreneurs. A few months later, an alum of Dingman’s Terp Startup summer incubator program, Javazen, beat out hundreds of other student startups to take first prize and $75,000 at the national Cupid’s Cup competition.
The future of the Dingman Center is also looking bright, according to its Director of Communications Megan McPherson.
“This spring the Center will launch a startup-centric podcast, Bootstrapped, featuring interviews with local entrepreneurs and Maryland alumni. By the summer, the Dingman Center will be transformed into a dynamic incubator in preparation for the eight student companies accepted into the Terp Startup program,” she said. Using the Center’s resources and funding, these students will be given the opportunity to focus all their attention into growing their business.
For more information on the Dingman Center, visit www.rhsmith.umd.edu/dingman.
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
