Frostburg State University Represents at 2025 Accelerate Innovations Forum

Apr 24, 2025 8:00 AM

A team from Frostburg State University, including five faculty members, eight students, and the director of Summit Station, Stacy Wassell, recently attended the 2025 Accelerate Innovations Forum at Bowie State University. The event brought together innovators, educators, students and entrepreneurs from across Maryland for a day of networking and exploration in the fields of innovation and technology-driven entrepreneurship and builds on Frostburg’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation, with several recently awarded grants supporting entrepreneurship and tech transfer across campus.

Throughout the day, FSU students engaged in meaningful conversations with leaders including Dr. John Sawyer, executive director of the Mid-Atlantic Quantum Alliance, and asked thoughtful questions during panels discussions and sessions. Many were excited to meet and speak directly with Bowie State University president Aminta H. Breaux, broadening their understanding of the growing innovation ecosystem across the state.

Amanda Hawbecker, computer science major at Frostburg, shared, “Attending this conference allowed me to grow my entrepreneurial mindset, providing me with insightful information about how to transform your startup from ideation to creation into something that is tangible. I learned about invaluable resources that the Maryland system provides such as I-CORP.”

Faculty took full advantage of the sessions on grant funding and technology transfer, learning more about how to translate on-campus research into commercial impact. Dr. Naomi Gades, professor of English, reflected on the multidisciplinary value of the forum. “If you invite the humanities to the table, there’s a place for our skills in driving innovation forward, skills like critical thought, interpersonal team building, and communication expertise.”

Dr. Michael Flinn, director of the Bobcat Innovation Launch Pad, noted, “This was an exceptional opportunity for our students to expand their understanding of innovation and entrepreneurship. Events like this highlight the power of collaboration and the importance of being in the room where future ideas take shape.”

Special thanks to Dr. Ajay Jha and the entire Bowie State University team for their commitment to fostering innovation and for their invitation to include Frostburg in this important statewide conversation.