Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business awarded former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad with the Dean’s Distinguished Award for Entrepreneurial Leadership during a recent Phil Smith Center for Free Enterprise forum.

Florida Atlantic University’s College of Business awarded former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad with the Dean’s Distinguished Award for Entrepreneurial Leadership during a recent Phil Smith Center for Free Enterprise forum.

“I am honored to have received this award for entrepreneurial leadership and to speak with the students about my years serving as Iowa’s governor and the U.S. ambassador to China,” Branstad said. “Entrepreneurship helped build this country and is critically important for our future.”   

Siri Terjesen, Ph.D., associate dean of research in the College of Business, presented the award, which is typically reserved for business leaders or community leaders who have contributed to free market principles either by sharing strategy and insight or by supporting policy that makes it easier to do business. 

“The College of Business was honored to present former Gov. Branstad with this award for outstanding entrepreneurial leaders,” Terjesen said. “Branstad is truly one of the greatest statesmen in United States history. We were pleased to hear the many engaging stories of his service in Iowa and China based on excellent questions from students in the class.”

Branstad discussed his time as governor, as well as the state of U.S. relations with China, and state policy decisions during an open forum with students. The Phil Smith Center also held a lunch in honor of Branstad, inviting prominent South Florida figures and faculty, such as former Palm Beach County Mayor Robert Weinroth; Kevin Cox , director of the Adams Center for Entrepreneurship; Mark Mallon, Ph.D., assistant professor of international business; Joseph Patton, DBA, senior instructor in the management department; and Bjørn-Tore Flåten, Ph.D., a visiting professor from Norway.

Branstad spent three terms in the Iowa House of Representatives before being elected governor of Iowa for two separate terms. He served as the president of Des Moines University and later was nominated to be U.S. ambassador to China in 2017.

“Branstad aligns perfectly with Phil Smith's core principles. His decorated career in both the public and private sectors reflects his unflinching work ethic and dedication to the preservation of American ingenuity,” said Andrew Garrison, director of the Phil Smith Center. “Students were eager to hear about his keys to success, which shows there is still a thirst to understand free enterprise principles among the next generation of entrepreneurs.”   

The Phil Smith Center, named in honor of well-known South Florida business leader Phil Smith, advances thought leadership in business by supporting chaired professorships, research and educational programs for faculty members and students. The American Council of Trustees and Alumni named the Phil Smith Center as an Oasis of Excellence in 2020.

-FAU-