“Entrepreneurship takes passion,” explained Jon Fisher. “William McGowan had amazing entrepreneurial passion and it has inspired me more than I ever expected.”
   Fisher, a junior finance major with an entrepreneurship minor, discovered McGowan’s passion when he decided to apply for the prestigious scholarship awarded by the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund.  

   “When my professor described the McGowan scholarship, something sparked inside me,” Fisher recalled.  “After class I walked straight up to her and said, ‘I’m going to win this scholarship.  I can just feel it.’”
    And win it he did.  Fisher was named a 2009 William G. McGowan Scholar in April and will receive the full-tuition award for his senior year of studies in the fall.    
    Fisher’s application included worthy credentials. Posting an overall GPA of 3.5, he has achieved Dean’s List honors (a 3.25 grade point average or higher) every semester.   He’s a member of the college’s finance club and spends much of his time working with his fellow entrepreneurship minor students on various projects.  One landed Fisher in the limelight as his team of 12 entrepreneurship undergraduates won second place and $1,000 at the 2009 Idea State U., a business plan competition open to all Kentucky public colleges.  
   Meanwhile, he’s exploited every extra opportunity the college offers, including the recently installed Bloomberg terminal and the career services offered by the Ulmer Career Management Center.  He plans to apply for the Entrepreneurship MBA after he graduates.
    “Jon exemplifies the spirit of the intent for the McGowan scholarship award,” said Dr. Sharon Kerrick, assistant professor of management and entrepreneurship who encouraged Fisher and ultimately became his scholarship sponsor. “He not only asks the ‘why’ questions, but more often ‘why not?’” 
     Fisher acknowledges that Professor Kerrick and other College of Business faculty and staff have contributed to his success.  
    “Through this application process I realized how extraordinary the college’s faculty and staff are,” said Fisher.  “They are always ready and willing to help students and show humbleness I did not expect.  It’s really a breath of fresh air.”  
    The McGowan Scholars program recognizes the academic excellence of students pursuing a major offered by an accredited business school. It is designed to encourage leadership, interpersonal skills and a significant involvement in academic, campus and community activities. It also rewards excellence of character, a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurial potential.
    “I’m excited about the scholarship money, but the real value I’ve gained is learning about the incredible things McGowan did,” said Fisher.  “Learning about him has helped me narrow the focus on what I want to do with my life and career, and showed me how important entrepreneurial passion is to the world as we know it.”
     For more information about the McGowan Fund and the Scholars program, visit http://www.mcgowanfund.org/.