A University of Delaware graduate who started several successful companies and founded the school’s entrepreneurship program received the 2019 Pete du Pont Freedom Award last night.

Charlie Horn created the nation’s first retail-based discount prescription drug program and 5Lights, LLC, a private equity business incubator and management firm.  He and his wife Patty established the Horn Entrepreneurship program at UD in 2012.

Started in 2003 by the former Delaware governor, the Pete du Pont Freedom Award recognizes individuals who have championed successful ideas that have led to economic growth or brought innovation to the private sector. Past winners include George Will, Newt Gingrich, Steve Forbes, Rudy Giuliani, Chris Christie, Ellen Kullman, Mike Castle, Mehmet Oz and Carol Ammon.

Du Pont’s sons There and Ben presented the award to Horn, with There noting he was “thrilled to see the admiration and support Charlie received at the awards ceremony.”  Du Pont said the event saw its highest attendance ever, including many aspiring entrepreneurs.

“Charlie Horn’s innovative leadership in Delaware and beyond epitomizes the Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation’s mission. Charlie responds to societal challenges by building coalitions and empowering individuals to innovate creative solutions, which mirrors many of Governor du Pont’s priorities during his years in public office,” said Scott Malfitano, chair of the foundation.

The event at the Hotel du Pont also recognized top ideas from its 2018 Reinventing Delaware program: Second Chances Farm, a social enterprise that trains and mentors returning citizens through vertical farming; and WilmInvest, which leverages public-private partnerships to renovate vacant properties to provide affordable housing for low-income families in Wilmington.

The Pete DuPont Freedom Foundation also presented its Reinventing Delaware Award to and a check for $10,000 to Second Chances Farm. The award is given annually for an organization that has an idea to make Delaware a better place to live work and play.

Second Chances Farm founder Ajit George said he and his partners, who are still in the infancy of their program, were deeply appreciative of the recognition of the value of their program. “We are thrilled to be part of a team that is creating the first vertical farm in the First State at our new home in a 47,500 square foot building at 3030 Bowers Street,” said George. “We want to thank There Dupont and Ben duPont for honoring their father Governor Pete DuPont’s legacy.”

On January 12th, 2018, Sherry Hoskinson was inducted as a Justin G. Longenecker Fellow at the United States Association for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship (USASBE) conference in Los Angeles, CA.

Selection as a Longenecker Fellow is the highest recognition that the USASBE bestows on individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the development, furtherance and benefit of small and medium sized businesses. USASBE Fellows are a select group of distinguished educators, researchers, government executives, small business advocates, scholars, program directors, practitioners and trade association leaders focused on advancing entrepreneurship education through teaching, writing, research, training and public service.

The USASBE is the largest independent academic organization in the world dedicated to advancing the discipline of entrepreneurship. As leaders in the emerging discipline of entrepreneurship, USASBE members are making an impact on how they think about, conduct research on, design public policy around, and interact with entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial ventures. USASBE represents more than 430 colleges and universities across the United States and around the globe. USASBE is the network advancing the art of entrepreneurship education.

With her induction as a Longenecker Fellow, Sherry Hoskinson joins a select group of 66 distinguished educators, researchers, government officials, small business advocates and trade association leaders who have received the prestigious award since 1986.

In 1998, the McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship (then, the H.N. & Frances C. Berger Entrepreneurship Program at the Karl Eller Center, College of Business of Public Administration) established the Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame. Established to formally recognize the significant achievements and contributions of alumni and associates of the Karl Eller Center and Berger Entrepreneurship Program, past inductees have included CEO’s, founders, presidents and educators encompassing a wide variety of private enterprise, public service and learning initiatives. Seven years later, the Hall of Fame is being reintroduced, kicking off with a reception on April 24th, 2019.

In preparation for the Awards Reception, we will be highlighting our 2019 inductees. The Legacy Award takes the place of the Founder’s Award that was created and given to Karl Eller in 1998 for his unparalleled commitment to excellence in entrepreneurship, education and economic growth. This award is given to an alumnus or alumna or friend of the center who exemplifies the qualities of Karl Eller; integrity, generosity, compassion, leadership, and a commitment to entrepreneurial education.  Like Karl, the recipient has the ability to instill vision in those around them and create an impact within their community.

Legacy Award: Sherry Hoskinson

Sherry Hoskinson has three decades in university entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, ecosystem optimization, and now company leadership. Sherry served as associate director then director of the University of Arizona’s premier McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship for 20 years, then went on to develop and roll out commercialization assets for Tech Launch Arizona, receiving multiple awards, model program designations, and numerous top national rankings.

Q. How did your involvement with the McGuire Center impact your life/career? 

A. The ability to engage with and advance entrepreneurial goals of students, faculty, and community members has been life-changing. Seeing the impact of each success–however defined, fueled by UA entrepreneurship offerings is gratifying. I have learned more than I ever thought I could, and have been exposed to ideas, people, and places than I ever thought possible.

Q. What is your favorite memory of your time at the McGuire Center? 

A. Being ranked #1 (thats not #1 behind Babson, or #1 among public universities. #1.)

Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? 

A. If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you find time to do it over?

Bonus Fact:

“When I started at the [then Karl Eller Center, now McGuire Center], I didn’t even know how to spell entrepreneurship”