Entrepreneurship@DU celebrates 35 minor graduates from the class of 2025
On Monday, May 19, Entrepreneurship@DU held a celebratory dinner for students who are graduating with a minor in Entrepreneurship. As two dozen students mingled with E@DU faculty members in the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management’s Joy Burns Center Tuscan Ballroom, the wine cellar buzzed with the unmistakable energy of new grads equally excited and afraid to step into the unknown.
Though the students’ majors span a breadth of disciplines, their mutual passion for innovation and problem-solving brought the class of 35 undergraduates together. While seated for dinner, each shared their post-commencement dreams, plans and trepidations, which melded into a chorus of young people itching to help make the world a better place.
Marketing majors Gina Parker and Lillie Krajewski-Arnold are both moving to Chicago. Parker will pursue her passion for food and beverage journalism at a nonprofit newspaper, while Krajewski-Arnold will work at a public relations agency in the Windy City. Through her E@DU studies, Krajewski-Arnold co-founded a canned cold brew coffee product infused with chaga mushroom powder for enhanced cognition.
Parker was president of DO U, the University of Denver’s entrepreneurship club. “I’m uncertain about the cost of living and how to survive in the real world, but I’m excited to try it out,” she shared.
Then there’s MK Barlow, a media studies major who will continue to lead FlauntaBra—the company she founded to help boost the confidence of people with asymmetrical breasts.
Also majoring in marketing, Jack Billeaud is a drummer with a mission to prevent hearing damage among other musicians. His company, Stik Buds, sells sticky ear plug cases so ear plugs are “always around when it’s loud.”
Computer science major Bryce Timper will venture into freelance work in the fintech space—an increasingly common venture versus the more traditional path of direct employment.
Along with these five are 30 additional stories of twentysomethings ready to take on the world with fresh, new ideas.
Before handing out certificates “to show their parents that they actually graduated,” associate teaching professor and director of Entrepreneurship@DU Joshua Ross took one last opportunity to impart some wisdom.
Ross shared stories from the highs and lows of his own career path, reminding graduates of the importance of maintaining a network of connections, putting in the work, and expecting some dips along their journey toward success.
While 40% of employers will reduce their workforce due to artificial intelligence—mainly entry-level positions—Ross cited a stat from the World Economic Forum that says 170 million jobs also will be created over the next five years. And 85% of those jobs haven’t been invented yet. Ross also stated that Gen Zers are predicted to stay in a job for 2.8 years on average—setting them up for a whopping 16-18 different jobs throughout their career.
While they may not be emerging into a world of economic certainty, this generation is known for its digital prowess, which Ross reminded them is a superpower in the present and future job market.
“Think about how artificial intelligence makes you better, how it makes you smarter, how it increases your IQ points—not how it can do the job for you, because if you teach it how to do the job for you, it will eventually take that job from you,” he said.
Ross also summarized the goal of the entrepreneurship program: developing skills in problem identification, collaboration, teamwork, emotional intelligence, adaptability and resilience.
“Those are the things AI can’t replace,” he said. “Those are the skills you want to continue to build up. This is where human value is important.”
Entrepreneurism Teaching Assistant Professor Neil Pollard also shared remarks via proxy (he was unable to attend due to illness). John Sebesta, Koch Endowed Chair of Entrepreneurship and Professor of the Practice, read Pollard’s statement.
“You are standing on the edge of an exciting future—one in which you will explore many possibilities as a new grad. You may choose to launch your own business or join an existing one, but know that your entrepreneurship skills and perspectives, creativity and problem-solving will be vital no matter what you choose to do,” he said.
Learn more about the Entrepreneurship minor.