SU Community Members Honored With Chamber Awards

SALISBURY, MD---Two Salisbury University community members were honored during the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce’s 96th annual awards banquet, keynoted by Dr. Christy Weer, dean of SU’s Franklin P. Perdue School of Business.

Robby Sheehan, SU government and community relations director and deputy chief of staff, was named the Chamber’s Member Volunteer of the Year. The award recognizes an individual who puts much of his or her time and effort into supporting the organization’s mission.

William Burke, SU director of entrepreneurship competitions and a professor of the practice in the Information and Decision Sciences Department, received the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award, recognizing his support of entrepreneurship in the Salisbury area.

As a Chamber member, Sheehan has been instrumental in the creation of new programs within the organization’s fast-growing advocacy division, according to Chamber President and CEO Ernie Colburn. He has developed an advocacy roundtable and events that promote an open dialog between the community and elected officials on key issues.

In addition, he has planned and managed the Chamber’s political forums and candidate debates in recent years and represents SU within the organization’s education network. He also assists the Chamber in lobbying for or against legislation at the state level for the betterment of the Lower Eastern Shore.

Burke directly oversees the dissemination some $300,000 in cash and prizes for business startups annually through the University’s Ratcliffe Foundation Shore Hatchery and student entrepreneurship competitions. Their success attracted the attention of producers for the hit ABC-TV business competition series Shark Tank, which, in association with 47 ABC, held auditions on campus in 2014 and 2015.

Burke coordinates student entrepreneurship activities with hotdesks.org, Maryland Capital Enterprises and representatives from the Chamber and the City of Salisbury. He also serves as faculty advisor for the SU Collegiate Entrepreneur Organization and is the faculty lead for the Perdue School’s Living Learning Communities.

For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU website at www.salisbury.edu.