January 20, 2011
Saluki CEO Corps invites students to free dinner
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The Saluki CEO Corps, a registered student organization at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is hosting an event to introduce students to the organization devoted to entrepreneurship.
All undergraduate and graduate students at the University are welcome at the bi-annual Saluki CEO Corps Kick-Off Dinner set for 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26, in the atrium of the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center at 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road in Carbondale. The evening will include a free dinner featuring Fazoli’s fare and Dippin’ Dots ice cream.
The ice cream treat is most appropriate as the guest speaker for the evening will be Curt Jones, SIUC alumnus and the founder and president of Dippin’ Dots, Inc. He will speak about 5:30 p.m.
Media Advisory
Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover the address by Curt Jones, SIUC alumnus and founder and president of Dippin’ Dots, Inc. about 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26, in the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center atrium, 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road in Carbondale. For more information, call 618/453-7788.
Jones earned his bachelor’s degree in 1981 and his master’s in 1986, both in microbiology at SIUC. He grew up on a farm near Grand Chain and in 1987, while researching commercial freezing and preservation techniques, he utilized liquid nitrogen in a quick-freeze process to create a unique ice cream product we now know as Dippin’ Dots. These days you’ll find Dippin’ Dots throughout North America and in numerous markets worldwide.
Jones, an inventor, entrepreneur and microbiologist, is the recipient of numerous business and entrepreneurship awards. In addition to continuing to serve as president of Dippin’ Dots, Inc., which employs about 170 people, he has a number of other business interests. He is a partner in Ulrich Medical Concepts, a paperless medical records system, and holds an interest in the entertainment company Amylase Entertainment. He is also managing director of MOR Technology, a business developing patented processes that enhance production in the ethanol and bio-diesel fuel industry.
Jones will tell his story and then there will be a question and answer time.
Students planning to attend the kick-off should RSVP by e-mailing salukiceo@cba.siu.edu by the end of the day Monday, Jan. 24. The Southern Illinois Research Park and the Small Business Incubator are event sponsors.
Saluki CEO Corps gives students a chance to get hands-on business experience. The group’s motto is “Learn One, Do One, Start One” and it offers students opportunities to improve their business and communication skills through a variety of presentations, meetings, activities and even competitions.
For more information, call Jenni Janssen, assistant director of the Center for Innovation in the SIUC College of Business at 618/453-7788 or e-mail salukiceo@cba.siu.edu.