Texas A&M University President Mark Welsh and CEO of Halliburton Jeff Miller ’88 recently came together with other esteemed figures in the business world for a daylong session on the future of entrepreneurship at Texas A&M. The event, titled “Shaping the Future of Entrepreneurship at Texas A&M: A Collaborative Vision,” was held at the Houston headquarters of Halliburton, a global energy company. The purpose of the gathering was to initiate discussions among key stakeholders on how the university can enhance entrepreneurship across various disciplines.
The event saw around 50 attendees who participated in presentations and discussions about creating an “entrepreneurial hub” on campus. This hub would support hands-on learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and real-world impact for aspiring entrepreneurs. Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp highlighted the university’s strengths in entrepreneurship, citing the presence of excellent students, extensive research, and successful commercialization efforts. He expressed confidence in Texas A&M’s ability to excel in these areas compared to other universities.
During the event, Texas A&M President Mark A. Welsh III participated in a panel discussion titled “Investing in our University and Texas.” Joining him were Jennifer McFerrin-Bohner, daughter of Texas A&M benefactors Dorothy and Artie R. McFerrin ’65, and Halliburton CEO Jeff Miller ’88. Welsh emphasized the importance of viewing entrepreneurship and innovation as complementary forces, with entrepreneurs identifying gaps in the market and innovators developing solutions to fill those gaps. He expressed his vision for Texas A&M to become the top entrepreneurial school in the country.
McFerrin-Bohner shared her family’s commitment to creating a robust ecosystem at Texas A&M that would involve students, faculty, startups, and industry partners collaborating on real-world projects. She stressed the need for inclusive programs across campus with active faculty participation. The day’s discussions underscored the significance of collaboration in fostering entrepreneurship, with speakers emphasizing the role of students, faculty, industry leaders, alumni, and donors in advancing entrepreneurial initiatives on campus.
Mike Francis ’06, CEO and co-founder of NanoTech, who served as the conference emcee, highlighted the importance of teamwork in entrepreneurship. He praised Texas A&M’s alumni network and faculty as essential components in the university’s journey towards becoming a leading entrepreneurial institution. Jeff Miller, CEO of Halliburton, spoke about the company’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship at Texas A&M through initiatives like Halliburton Labs, which focus on research and development in the energy sector.
As a Tier 1 research institution, Texas A&M conducts research that often translates into practical solutions. Dr. Elsa Murano, director of the Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture and Development, emphasized the role of research in entrepreneurship, particularly in implementing innovative solutions in real-world settings. The day’s discussions also focused on educating and supporting future entrepreneurs, with panelists highlighting the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students and providing them with the necessary skills and resources to succeed in the business world.
Overall, the event served as a platform for key stakeholders to come together and discuss the future of entrepreneurship at Texas A&M. With a focus on collaboration, innovation, and education, the university aims to cultivate a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem that empowers students to become successful entrepreneurs. Through initiatives like Halliburton Labs and partnerships with industry leaders, Texas A&M is poised to lead the way in entrepreneurship and innovation, setting a new standard for entrepreneurial education in the country.
