Entrepreneurs and students came together Thursday at the University of Mary at an event which offered them a unique opportunity to meet and exchange ideas.

The eighth annual Institute for Entrepreneurship, held in the Harold Schafer Leadership Center on the U-Mary campus, included an award presentation and panel discussions. Bon Wikenheiser, director of the U-Mary Emerging Leaders Academy of Business, said, "Harold Schafer wanted to make sure professionals could share knowledge and students could receive it in an environment like this," Wikenheiser said. "It's a real investment in the students."

This year's Harold Schafer Excellence in Enterprise Award was presented to John J. Simmons, chairman and chief executive officer of Carbontec Energy, based in Bismarck. The winner is chosen by the U-Mary Executive Operations Committee and the group that oversees the Harold Schafer Leadership Center.

"They look for someone who is innovative and enterprising and has reached national recognition in business," Wikenheiser said.

Two discussions featured panelists chosen by a group of business people serving on the Executive Operations Committee.

The Senior Business Executive Panel included Cedric Theel and Frank Bavendick, of Bismarck, George Ehlis, of Dickinson and David Vaaler, of Grand Forks.

The panelists discussed the difficulties and rewards of being an entrepreneur.

"I wanted my decisions to be by me instead of having to follow a company's book of policies," Bavendick said.

Ehlis discussed the importance of sticking with goals through tough times.

"Look at every mistake as a positive opportunity," he said. "But don't give up personal integrity, no matter what."

Bavendick said that by trying a little harder every day, he gained success.

"I thought 'why not just put that little bit extra in everything you do each day?'" Bavendick said.

Panelists were also asked what they look for in the next generation of business leaders.

"It's paramount that whoever succeeds me has respect for people," Ehlis said.

Theel talked about the importance of encouraging young people, mentioning his uncle, who helped him financially when he began his business.

"Young people are going to run into people like him that believe in them," Theel told U-Mary business students. "Work hard so you don't let those people down."

For the first time, this year's institute featured a panel organized to discuss the challenges of being a woman in business.

"Women have served on our panels before, but this was the first time we have had a panel discussing these issues," Wikenheiser said. "We are having more and more women in business classes and we wanted them to be exposed to role models."

Wikenheiser said she hopes these young women learn that their success in business is not based on gender, but connections.

The Leading Women in Business Panel included Jodee Bock and Karen Burgum, of Fargo, Kathy Feist, of Bismarck and Sharon Gatlin-Chambers, of Indianapolis.

Bock and Gatlin-Chambers said although some gender issues exist, they have not allowed themselves to be victims.

"Others might see you as a victim, but as long as you don't see yourself as one, you'll succeed," Gatlin-Chambers said. "Don't lose your self-esteem."

Bock encouraged students to make an effort to reach their goals, even if they seem risky.

"If you don't jump, you'll never know the temperature of the water," Bock said. "You have to try."

(Reach reporter Katie Brown at 250-8225 or katie.brown@;bismarcktribune.com.)