The Shoemaker Scholars program brings together 10 Indiana University Bloomington students from a variety of academic disciplines. They encourage other students to explore their own entrepreneurial and innovative interests, and they oversee the StartupIU website that connects students with university-based startups. John and Donna Shoemaker funded the program, which awards annual scholarships to its members. Travis J. Brown launched and directs the program.
Hunter Hawley, a senior from Cloverport, Kentucky, majors in entrepreneurship and corporate innovation at the Kelley School of Business. He has been a Shoemaker Scholar for two semesters.
“This is no original thought, but it is true: Necessity is the mother of invention. That said, I am very much looking forward to seeing how students and faculty innovate to adapt to the changes coming,” Hawley said. “Like we do every fall, we are bringing tens of thousands of people together in Bloomington, but this time, we’re going to struggle to keep ourselves and each other healthy. It is a serious challenge, and one that the university can only do so much about — the real work has to be done by each of us. None of us knows what will happen, but it will be interesting to see folks rise to the occasion.”
Crimson Catalyst: What is the biggest impact Shoemaker Scholars have?
Hunter Hawley: The Shoemaker Scholars program is a unifying force for entrepreneurship on campus. We look to serve everyone, and we see value in ideas from every corner of campus and beyond. I think that is incredibly powerful, because many students who have the potential to be incredible entrepreneurs are simply one conversation away from getting started. We want to start those conversations.
CC: How did you learn about the Shoemakers Scholars program?
HH: Likely from Zach Simunic, a former member of the program, but certainly through my proximity to the Shoemaker Innovation Center by being involved in the Ideation and Creation Entrepreneurs, or ICE, Club.
CC: What do you enjoy most being a Shoemaker Scholar?
HH: I suspect that I might have a better answer to that once I no longer am one, and once I’ve had more time to reflect. But now, in the moment, I’d say that my favorite part is just getting to be in the Shoemaker Innovation Center, which I love. Whether it is a simple app idea or a long-shot vision of how a student wants to change an entire industry, I love hearing ideas and playing even just a small part in developing them.
CC: What is a common misconception students have about entrepreneurship and innovation?
HH: One that I’ve been thinking about lately is this idea that entrepreneurship and/or innovation is somehow exclusive. While there are plenty of self-proclaimed gatekeepers of entrepreneurship and innovation, the whole point of these concepts is to find a way around those gatekeepers. Entrepreneurship is for anyone willing and able to do what it takes to make their vision become a reality.
CC: How do you share insights with others, as an ambassador?
HH: Aside from the many ways that we share info and resources with the community as a group, I personally share insights through my involvement with the ICE Club. We meet weekly and share ideas, challenge each other and generally support each other in whatever we are chasing.
CC: What are your own entrepreneurial endeavors?
HH: Since I got to school here at IU, I’ve been working on Blueprint Stats, a service that helps sports teams make sense of their game film with statistics, breakdowns and visuals. As a senior, I am now working to turn this into my “real job” and am excited to see what the next 12 months hold for me and Blueprint.
More information about the Shoemaker Scholars program is available at the following websites:
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