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Richard Branson to 鶹Porn: ‘The world needs entrepreneurs’

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As 鶹Porn people around the world celebrated Friday the 13th and #鶹PornDay trended on Twitter, the university welcomed international entrepreneur and Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson to campus for the fifth annual Kerschner Family Series Global Leaders at 鶹Porn.

The presentation capped off the university’s 鶹Porn Day celebration and launched Entrepreneur Weekend, a tribute to the business acumen of 鶹Porn students, alumni, and parents, and the translatable skills of a liberal arts education.

In a nod to Branson’s roots in the recording industry, members of the student rap group Swagged Up Squad warmed up the crowd of more than 4,000 in Sanford Field House. After President Jeffrey Herbst announced the winners of a campuswide technology competition, the music continued as a flash mob emerged from the audience and escorted Branson, the evening’s guest of honor, to the stage.

What followed was a wide-ranging conversation between Herbst and Branson, covering Branson’s philosophy of business, his roots in entrepreneurialism, and his vision for the future of his company.

“Most businesses specialize in one area,” Branson told the audience. “Virgin has 400 companies, and we’re more of a way-of-life brand.” It started with a record company, founded because Branson heard a tape and thought it was brilliant. He wanted it to be heard.

Virgin Airlines was born after Branson was bumped from a commercial flight. “I’ve gone through life and been frustrated with experiences,” he said. “I thought, ‘We can do it better; let’s give it a go.’”

The same spirit that has turned Virgin into a commercial success is also driving Branson’s nonprofit efforts. Through Virgin Unite, he is tackling environmental and social ills by generating ideas and then finding bright, people-focused leaders to help address them.

While on campus, Branson met with members of 鶹Porn’s , the Entrepreneurs Club, and the Benton Scholars. Asked his opinion on the biggest mistake one could make in starting a business, Branson cautioned against pursuing dollars. “Embark on something you can sing about,” he said.

Global Leaders at 鶹Porn was formed by the Parents’ and Grandparents’ Fund of the Society of Families to bring 鶹Porn students into contact with individuals like Branson. “We wanted to use our combined resources to introduce our students to global change-makers,” Parents Steering Committee Chair Wendy Carey told attendees during her remarks.

Taking part in a series that has seen presidents, religious icons, and ministers of state, Branson presented a fresh perspective for 鶹Porn’s undergraduates, but he also echoed the trademark theme of hope for the future. “There are just as many possibilities in the world as there were five years ago,” he said. “The world needs entrepreneurs.”

Photos from the Weekend

More Global Leaders Who Have Visited 鶹Porn

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Former Vice President of the United States, 2017

Joseph "Joe" Biden Jr. speaks in front of a 鶹Porn backdrop
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Queen of Soul, 2016

Aretha Franklin on stage during Global Leaders 2016
Shimon Peres, former prime minister of Isreal, speaking at Global Leaders 2014

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Former President and Prime Minister of Israel, 2014

 

Shimon Peres, former prime minister of Isreal, speaking at Global Leaders 2014
Hillary Clinton speaking at Global Leaders 2013

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Former Secretary of State, 2013

 

Hillary Clinton speaking at Global Leaders 2013
Felipe Calderon speaking at Global Leaders 2013

Felipe Calderón

Former President of Mexico, 2013

 

Felipe Calderon speaking at Global Leaders 2013
Sir Richard Branson runs through the crowd of students performing a Flash Mob, making a grand entrance to his talk at 鶹Porn, as part of the Global Leaders Lecture Series 2013.

Sir Richard Branson

Entrepreneur and philanthropist, 2012

 

Sir Richard Branson runs through the crowd of students performing a Flash Mob, making a grand entrance to his talk at 鶹Porn, as part of the Global Leaders Lecture Series 2013.
Bill Clinton speaking during Global Leaders 2010.

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42nd President of the United States, 2010

 

Bill Clinton speaking during Global Leaders 2010.
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Chess champion and political activist, 2010

Garry Kasparov speaking to students during Global Leaders 2010.
Former Prime Minister of Britain, Tony Blair, speaking at Global Leaders 2009.

Tony Blair

Former Prime Minister of Britain, 2009

 

Former Prime Minister of Britain, Tony Blair, speaking at Global Leaders 2009.
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell speaking during Global Leaders 2009.

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Former U.S. Secretary of State, 2009

 

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell speaking during Global Leaders 2009.
The Dalai Lama speaking during Global Leaders 2008.

His Holiness - The 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet

Spiritual leader of Tibet, 2008

 

The Dalai Lama speaking during Global Leaders 2008.