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Celebration of Entrepreneurship Banquet

The inaugural Celebration of Entrepreneurship banquet was held in conjunction with the finals of the NEXT Big Thing idea competition on April 24, 2009 in the K-State Student Union. Over 120 K-State students, faculty, staff, and community leaders attended the event to recognize the thriving entrepreneurial environment present at K-State and in Manhattan.

Numerous awards were announced to recognize entrepreneurial leaders. The awards included:

Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year


Mike Apley, Pharmcats


Gary Anderson, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab

Community Entrepreneur of the Year


Mark Knackendoffel, Manhattan Trust Company

Entrepreneurship Support Awards:
President Jon Wefald, university president


Fred Cholick, dean of the College of Agriculture
Ruth Dyer, associate provost


Brian Niehoff, head of the department of management


Bret Lanz, marketing and development manager at the Advanced Manufacturing Institute


Suzanne Auten, administrative assistant to the K-State provost.

Entrepreneurship Advocacy Awards:


John Graham, professor of finance and executive in residence at K-State's College of Business Administration


Dave Dreiling, founder and owner of GTM Sportswear, Manhattan


Phil Howe, chief executive officer of Kansas State Bank


Duane Nellis, K-State provost and senior vice president.

Yar Ebadi, dean of K-State's College of Business Administration