Chris E. Olson Endowment for Entrepreneurs Established at FCC
The Chris E. Olson Endowment for Entrepreneurs has been established at Frederick Community College to provide scholarships to individuals taking classes at the college with the goal of starting or growing a company. This endowment was created by SCORE Frederick, “Counselors to America’s Small Businesses,” an organization that Mr. Olson was instrumental in founding.
The scholarships will be available to residents of Frederick County enrolled in one or more credit or continuing education classes that directly relate to the growth or operation of their business or a start-up venture. Recipients must own a business or be planning to start a business that will be based in Frederick County. The scholarships are not based on financial need, and small business owners are encouraged to apply.
The scholarship is available for the 2011 fall semester. In addition to FCC’s scholarship application, applicants must write a short essay (no more than two pages) that briefly describes themselves, their company or business idea, and their or their company’s impact on Frederick County.
The endowment was created to honor Chris E. Olson, a Frederick native who worked in several capacities to help entrepreneurs and small businesses in Frederick County. Mr. Olson died on March 6, 2011, after an extended illness.
Mr. Olson received his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. After graduating, he founded Olson Business Development, a small business consulting firm serving clients locally and globally. In addition to running his own company, he also served as art director for three local publications, vice president for a local venture capital and financing company, and chief operating officer for a mail and data processing company.
He served as the Frederick County consultant for the Maryland Small Business Development Center, coordinator of the Frederick Entrepreneur Support Network, past president of the Entrepreneur Council of Frederick County, and facilitator of the Frederick “Coalition of Chambers,” a regular meeting of diverse business support and advocacy associations.
Mr. Olson was presented the City Of Frederick Partners Award in recognition of and appreciation for his service to the business community in the City of Frederick. He was also honored at the national Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC) conference as the State Star for Maryland and became a member of the Million Dollar Club for securing one or more loans of one million dollars or more.
To contribute to the Chris E. Olson Endowment for Entrepreneurs, or to create a new scholarship, contact the FCC Foundation Inc. at foundation@frederick.edu or call 301.846.2438. To apply for scholarships at FCC, contact the Office of Financial Aid at FinancialAid@frederick.edu or call 301.846.2480. To make a gift online, please go to https://www.frederick.edu/foundation/onlinegiving/index.php
