In order to fill the gap between entrepreneurs and industry, West Virginia University and industry leaders teamed up to form the West Virginia Entrepreneurs Forum.
Since then, WVEF has held monthly presentations to bring entrepreneurs and opportunity together.
“Really what we’re fostering is informal networking,” said Jan Berkow, president of Applied Industrial Solutions and founding member of WVEF.
This month’s program, which was held Tuesday night, featured Jim Grabulis and Randy Kesling, senior contracts management at the National Energy Technology Laboratory, and Tom McLaughlin from Wheeling Jesuit University’s Office of Law Enforcement Technology Commercialization.
Grabulis, also the president of the Northern West Virginia Chapter of the National Contracts Managers Association, gave an overview of the cost-free assistance NCMA offers businesses on contracts and agreements.
McLaughlin’s presentation focused on how his organization helps companies that want to commercialize products to be used in law enforcement, including car-stopping and nonlethal technologies.
“Our services are free of charge,” he said. “The only thing we’re really looking for is success.”
WVEF’s meetings are on the second Tuesday of every month and are free and open to the public.
“The more people you get here, the more of a critical mass you get, the more resources, actually the better quality resources, you can attract to come in here,” Berkow said.
For more information on WVEF, or information on next month’s program, visit the Web site at http://www.wvef.com, or call Lynette Pitzer at (304) 292-3311.

Recently, two West Virginia University students were awarded Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships. These awards are given to undergraduate students majoring in math, science or engineering.
Matthew Lechliter and Callee McConnell were selected for the scholarships, along with 302 other students from around the country. A total of 1,164 students were nominated.
There was initially an on-campus competition for students to be selected to advance to the national competition, according to Keith Garbutt, the WVU Honors Program director.
A committee of four professors with expertise in math, science and engineering selected the four best proposals that WVU students submitted for the scholarship.
Those four students then had to submit a package to the national competition that consisted of letters of recommendation, a list of their career goals and awards, professional aspirations, and a 600-word essay describing the research the student planned to study.
Garbutt said the scholarship is ultimately aimed at the students’ research, along with their activities.
“(The selection committee) expects them to already be active in math and science,” he said.
Lechliter is a junior aerospace and mechanical engineering major.
He is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Society of Automotive Engineers and the Golden Key National Honor Society. Also, he is involved in Sigma Gamma Tau, the aerospace engineering honorary, and Tau Beta Phi, the civil and environmental engineering honorary.
Lechliter plans to attend graduate school, possibly at WVU, and he also plans to earn a doctorate degree. Upon completing his education, he wants to work for NASA, a national laboratory or an academic institution where he will continue conducting research.
“I’m deeply honored to get this award,” Lechliter said. “I think it will really help me in advancing my career.”
McConnell plans to pursue a masters and doctorate degree in food sciences. She hopes to eventually work for a food company or a research university.
She serves as a lab worker with Dr. P. Brett Kenney, an associate professor of animal science in the WVU College of Agriculture.
“I couldn’t have done this without Dr. Kenney,” McConnell said.
She is a member of the Helvetia sophomore honorary, the Golden Key National Honor Society, and the Block and Bridle Club. She is also the recipient of a WVU Presidential Scholarship.
Lechliter and McConnell are the 21st and 22nd recipients of Goldwater Scholarships from WVU.
The scholarship program originated in 1986 in honor of the late Sen. Barry Goldwater.
“Our track record for Goldwater Scholars is remarkable,” Garbutt said.

The West Virginia University College Republicans will meet and welcome U.S. Congress member Shelley Moore Capito today at 1 p.m. in E. Moore Hall. Capito will address the University for about an hour and then conduct a question and answer session.
Capito is currently serving her first term in the U.S. Congress representing West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District.
A brief reception is planned to follow.
The event is free and all members of the campus and local community are invited to attend.
—ks

A fire broke out Monday afternoon in an entryway to Elder Beerman at the Mountaineer Mall, which resulted in about $5,000 of damage, said Morgantown Fire Department Captain David Bean.
The fire, which never entered the store, was caused by a neon light that shorted out. A canopy over the entryway caught on fire.
No one was injured, and no customers or employees had to be evacuated from the building. Employees were trying to put out the fire with an extinguisher when the fire department arrived on the scene, Bean said.
—abs