Applications open for new high school scholar program

Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis is launching the Olin Fleischer Scholars Program, a free one-week residential summer program for high school students who have limited financial resources or who will be the first in their families to attend college.

Scholars will live and learn on Washington University’s campus and visit some of St. Louis’ top enterprises. The goal is to give students a clearer picture of what careers in business look like and what skills they need to succeed, program director Chris Presley said.

Students may apply to the program starting Jan. 2, 2017. Applications are due March 1, 2017. Students must provide a short essay and two letters of recommendation. To learn more, visit the Olin Fleischer Scholars Program website.

“Shows like ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Law & Order’ show what it’s like to be a doctor or a lawyer, but if you don’t come from a long line of business people, you may not know what it’s like to work on Wall Street or run a business,” Presley said. “We want to introduce students to the possibilities of business while they are in high school so they know what to reach for in college.”

The program will run July 23-29. During that week, students will work in teams to establish a new business venture. Along the way, faculty will teach students about entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, accounting, supply-chain management and communications.

“Business is about so much more than crunching numbers; it’s about communication,” Presley said. “How do you compromise? How do you lead? How do you handle conflicts? How do you work as a team?”

Students also will meet with Undergraduate Admissions and Student Financial Services representatives and participate in workshops to better understand how to pair their passions and their profession.

Mort Fleischer, BSBA’58, is founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of STORE Capital (NYSE: STOR), one of the largest, and fastest growing net-lease Real Estate Investment Trusts in the US. He conceived the idea for scholar program and funds it. Fleischer Scholars programs also exist at Arizona State University and the University of Arkansas.

Visit The Pipeline to learn more about the myriad ways Washington University faculty, students and staff mentor local students and support education in the St. Louis region.

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(Photo: James Byard/Washington University)