Bryant University Wins Best National Chapter Of The Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization (CEO)

SMITHFIELD, R.I., Nov. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bryant University chapter of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization (CEO) bested more than 400 competitors to win 2014 Best Chapter in the country as well as recognition as Best Networking chapter. The honor, which reflects the entrepreneurial spirit of Bryant University as a whole, was announced at the 2014 National CEO Convention at Orlando University of Tampa, FL.

At the conference, representatives of the Bryant CEO group presented their case for Best Chapter before a panel of judges and nearly 1,200 students, faculty, and young entrepreneurs from around the world.  Bryant's chapter has been honored as best in the nation five times in the last 10 years.

Bryant's presentations for the award were judged on delivery, explanation of character leadership, overview of accomplishments, in-depth explanation of team's biggest defining achievement with supporting metrics, and summation of why it should be awarded the best.

Bryant University's Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization aims to inform, support, and inspire students to be entrepreneurial and seek opportunity through enterprise creation.  It also supports creativity and innovation in the greater Bryant community.

"We are thrilled and honored to be named the best," said Bryant University Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization President Renee Lawlor, Bryant University Class of 2015.  "We are grateful that CEO has recognized us among other top schools in the country and has rewarded our dedication and great entrepreneurial spirit in selecting us as for the Best Chapter Award."  

"Bryant's CEO Chapter challenges the status quo through out-of-the-box thinking," said Bryant CEO Chapter Faculty Advisor Professor Michael Roberto.  "The team is passionate, creative and independent and has contributed hugely to Bryant's entrepreneurial community."

Some of the upcoming yearly events that contributed to the chapter's victory included:

• On, February 21, Bryant CEO is hosting the 4th Annual Bryant University North East Entrepreneurship Conference.  BUNEEC (pronounced Be Unique) brings together entrepreneurial minded students from across New England to network, hear success stories from keynote speakers and attend "how-to" workshops that teach specific skills necessary to launch a business idea.
• The E-Pitch: Competition in which all freshman students give a 60-second pitch on a business idea to a panel of judges.
• App-a-thon: Competition in which students pitch ideas for mobile apps that the University IT Department could create to enhance Bryant's community.
• Start-Up Survival: An admissions event where high school students will practice and develop entrepreneurial skills and discover the opportunities Bryant has to offer.  The students are organized in teams, and they will be running a greeting card company for several hours in a competition led by CEO members. 

The Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization (CEO) promotes entrepreneurship as a field of study at colleges and universities across the U.S. and around the world.   

Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I., is a leading private university offering an innovative and uniquely integrated business and liberal arts education. It has approximately 3,500 graduate and undergraduate students from 27 states and 54 countries. Bryant University regularly receives top rankings from U.S. News and World Report, Business Week, Forbes and Barron's.  Visit www.Bryant.edu.

SOURCE Bryant University