Freeman ranked No. 4 in nation for entrepreneurship

The Freeman School of Business is one of the top five graduate schools in the nation for entrepreneurship, according to a new survey by Entrepreneur magazine and the Princeton Review. The Freeman School is ranked No. 4 on the list of Top Graduate Programs for Entrepreneurs. The ranking appears in the October issue of Entrepreneur and is available online at www.entrepreneur.com/topcolleges.

"We are grateful for this ranking that recognizes the quality and uniqueness of our entrepreneurship programs," said John Elstrott, executive director of the Freeman School's Levy-Rosenblum Institute for Entrepreneurship. "This ranking reflects the commitment of our students, faculty and staff to engage in the reinvention and rebuilding of  New Orleans through entrepreneurship. The programs and courses at the A. B. Freeman School of Business are dedicated to teaching and implementing the principles of conscious capitalism and social entrepreneurship that are redefining how free market economies function around the world."

The Freeman School has built a strong reputation in recent years for social entrepreneurship, which refers to the use entrepreneurial principles to address social problems. More recently, under Elstrott's guidance, the Freeman School has become a leader in promoting conscious capitalism, which calls for organizations to consider what is best for all stakeholders--employees, shareholders, the community and the environment--rather than solely focusing on shareholder returns. The 2010 Tulane Business Plan Competition, which will take place April 16, will be the first in the country to incorporate principles of conscious capitalism into its requirements.

Entrepreneur and the Princeton Review surveyed more than 2,300 schools to come up with this year's ranking. Entrepreneurship programs were evaluated based on key criteria in the areas of academics and requirements, students and faculty, and outside-the-classroom experiences. "Each school that made the list demonstrates excellence in one or more areas--whether in regards to course offerings, the success of students post-graduation, sponsored mentorship programs or other important factors," said Amy Cosper, VP/editor in chief at Entrepreneur. "While each program is unique, their inclusion in this ranking solidifies their place in an elite category of institutions offering a superlative level of education and preparedness that will play a key role in ensuring the success of tomorrow's entrepreneurs."