UPEI Centre for Enterprise & Entrepreneurship named for Ralph Hostetter
The Centre for Enterprise & Entrepreneurship at the UPEI School of Business has been named in recognition of American businessman Ralph Hostetter's long-standing commitment to the university and the province.
The Hostetter Centre for Enterprise & Entrepreneurship aims to advance education and research in enterprise and entrepreneurial activity, especially in industries of relevance to PEI In keeping with Hostetter's strong belief in mentorship, it will also focus on the development of students' entrepreneurial skills by connecting them with experienced business executives and faculty.
"As a long-time Island resident, Ralph Hostetter has been a great friend to many and a generous community supporter," said UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan. "By linking his name and support to enterprise and entrepreneurship at UPEI, he will make an enduring contribution to the development of his beloved PEI."
Hostetter has committed over $1 million to UPEI in support of students and their learning environment. Last year he established the first scholarship for UPEI's MBA program in honour of his PEI friend and neighbour George Howatt.
"On behalf of the UPEI School of Business' faculty and staff, I am pleased to say how thrilled we are for the leadership that Ralph Hostetter is providing,' said dean of business Roberta MacDonald. 'His generous support and the role model he provides will be excellent bases on which to expand our enterprise and entrepreneurship programs and research. These will add great benefits for our students and for the Island in general."
From Elkton, Maryland, Hostetter is a seasonal resident in French River and has land holdings that include Camelot East Farms. He describes himself as a "conservative newspaper publisher" and is, at present, a columnist for several U.S. internet sites. He writes extensively in the areas of education and agriculture. Many of his columns were published in 1999 in a collection called Publisher's Notebook.
He is chair and publisher of American Farm Publications Inc. in Easton, Maryland, and former president and owner of TriState Publishing Company in Elkton, a chain of 13 community newspapers. He was elected to the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association Newspaper Hall of Fame in 1990. The New Jersey Agricultural Society awarded Hostetter its highest award, the Gold Medallion, in 2003.
The Hostetter CEE will include existing activities and programs such as business co-operative education, international trade training, and the executive education and executive-in-residence program, and will develop new business education programs.
