Bernstein Award Winner Plans Baltimore Glass Blowing Studio

SALISBURY, MD---Second time was the charm for this year’s Bernstein Achievement Award for Excellence winner, junior management and marketing major Tim McFadden. In 2004, McFadden was a finalist for the $5,000 award with a business plan to place a blown glass studio in his hometown of Baltimore. This year, that plan netted him the grand prize. McFadden incorporated feedback he received during last year’s competition for this year’s winning entry. “One of our judges noted that while most businesses fail, most entrepreneurs do not,” said Dr. Stephen Adams, coordinator of the competition. “This is because they keep trying. Tim McFadden’s victory this year displays the truth of that comment.” McFadden became interested in glass blowing thanks to his brother, Marty, a senior at SU when McFadden was a freshman. Marty was involved in glass blowing classes at SU and interested his brother in the process. “It’s the best course offered at SU,” said McFadden, who has been hooked on the art since 2003. Balancing his business major with that artistic interest proved to be his winning combination. According to his business plan, his studio, Blown Away Glass Inc., would house a gallery and gift shop where patrons and tourists could watch unique art being formed, possibly in the city’s trendy Canton section. Though that business is still several years from taking off—McFadden plans to complete his degree first—he said getting the ideas down on paper was an important first step. “Putting together a business plan now will make it easier when I graduate,” he said. Established by Eastern Shore businessman Richard Bernstein, the annual Bernstein competition seeks to further entrepreneurship among Salisbury University students. Competitors are judged on their ideas, their research and the feasibility of their business plans. Four finalists vie for prizes. This year, 31 plans competed. Senior management and marketing major Cindy Campbell was runner-up with plans for a bridal shop. Honorable mentions went to biology major Sibtain Rawala, who submitted a plan for an online dietary supplement store, and M.B.A. student Brian Kilgore, with plans for a self-storage company. This year’s judges included Warren Citrin, owner of Gloto Corp.; Martin Neat, president and CEO of First Shore Federal Savings and Loan; and James Poulson III, executive director of the University of Maryland’s Office of Technology Commercialization. The Franklin P. Perdue School of Business hosts the annual competition. For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU website at www.salisbury.edu.