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The Daily OrangeSouth side resurgence
University-created center bolsters economic growth downtown
By Dan Briggs
Posted: 2/12/07, 10:11 PM EST Section: Feature
Uma Anne Sud, a graduate student working toward a master's degree in business administration at Whitman, was the program's resource network coordinator during the 2005-2006 academic year. Sud organized meetings, gathered marketing materials and promoted the connect project.
The most challenging part of her job was not her administrative duties, but gaining the trust of the South Side's business community, Sud said. Sometimes convincing business owners of the value of the human resources being provided, especially the classes, was more difficult than organizing the classes themselves, she said.
Working with the innovation center helped Sud learn how passion and the practical application of concepts she learned at Whitman intersect, she said.
"I think what it's done is, it's shown me the types of impact you can have," Sud said. "Even as a student on real life things. I developed a business plan for a possible business within the South Side, a food cooperative. It may not happen, but just to think that you're involved with something that could really come to fruition and have an impact on the community is kind of exciting."
Lura Lunkenheimer is the owner of Peaceful Schools, one of the businesses located in the center. Peaceful Schools sells products and services designed to help schools and youth programs resolve conflict between students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Lunkenheimer would like to take further advantage of the business classes, but they are often offered during the workday, she said.
Despite class scheduling conflicts, the center helped Lunkenheimer expand her business, she said. The connect project also gave her a scholarship to attend speaking events by several women entrepreneurs. Lunkenheimer said she thinks any problems the center has will be worked out, and the center will continue to improve in the future.
"The thing we're experiencing right now is learning to bring a group of small businesses together and share resources," she said. "It's just growing pains."
The most challenging part of her job was not her administrative duties, but gaining the trust of the South Side's business community, Sud said. Sometimes convincing business owners of the value of the human resources being provided, especially the classes, was more difficult than organizing the classes themselves, she said.
Working with the innovation center helped Sud learn how passion and the practical application of concepts she learned at Whitman intersect, she said.
"I think what it's done is, it's shown me the types of impact you can have," Sud said. "Even as a student on real life things. I developed a business plan for a possible business within the South Side, a food cooperative. It may not happen, but just to think that you're involved with something that could really come to fruition and have an impact on the community is kind of exciting."
Lura Lunkenheimer is the owner of Peaceful Schools, one of the businesses located in the center. Peaceful Schools sells products and services designed to help schools and youth programs resolve conflict between students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Lunkenheimer would like to take further advantage of the business classes, but they are often offered during the workday, she said.
Despite class scheduling conflicts, the center helped Lunkenheimer expand her business, she said. The connect project also gave her a scholarship to attend speaking events by several women entrepreneurs. Lunkenheimer said she thinks any problems the center has will be worked out, and the center will continue to improve in the future.
"The thing we're experiencing right now is learning to bring a group of small businesses together and share resources," she said. "It's just growing pains."
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Jo Thomas
posted 2/13/07 @ 11:16 AM EST
Thanks to Dan Briggs for a thoughtful and detailed article. His skills as a reporter and writer really shine. I especially appreciated his including interviews with students who are working in this effort. (Continued…)
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