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Eastern Shore entrepreneurs are turning “what if?” into “what’s next?” at ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ's Dave and Patsy Rommel Center for Entrepreneurship. The center transforms dreamers’ bold ideas into thriving businesses. The center is open to SU students and the public, offering access to its 6,000-square-foot facility.

American Express balance transfer credit cards offer a low introductory APR on balance transfers for a number of months after an account opens, though the company is not well known for this perk: Dr. Gustavo Schnieder, assistant professor of marketing in ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ's Franklin P. Perdue School of Business, explains why: "Amex is recognized as a brand that offers premium experiences. ... Hence, Amex marketing efforts focus on this target market that values premium benefits and may not be persuaded by lower rates or balance transfers."

If you step onto ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ’s campus, you might notice some new helpers rolling around, but they’re not students. Monday Morning, ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ rolled out 15 new food delivery robots, in partnership with Grubhub and Avride. University spokesperson Jason Rhodes said students can order food from one of many restaurants across campus. He said the robots may just become an integral presence at SU.

ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ’s online graduate programs again have been ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report. SU’s online M.Ed. Program was ranked for the first time as one of the top programs in the U.S. (No. 223 out of 323). For the eighth year, the publication rated SU’s online M.B.A. Program among the best in the U.S. (No. 172 out of 364). SU’s online M.S. in Nursing Program also was ranked among the country’s best (No. 105 out of 201). Selections were based on criteria including student excellence, faculty credentials, and peer assessment.

Even as they begin clearing snow from parking lots and sidewalks, school officials are preparing for the next weather event: extreme cold. The No.1 priority of the facilities management team at ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ during a storm is flexibility, said Eric Berkheimer, associate vice president of facilities and capital management. To prepare, the facilities management team tries to run the heat higher in older, less insulated buildings to keep the pipes warm. Berkheimer’s team also does regular walk-throughs and makes sure emergency generators on campus are operational.

Music is becoming more accessible for middle school students in Sussex County, thanks to a new arts education initiative from the Freeman Foundation. Seventh graders at Mariner Middle School are learning to play the ukulele through the program, which provides classrooms with a full set of instruments and teaching tools at no cost. The initiative is supported by Dr. Louise Anderson of ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ, who recently taught a series of lessons at the school. Anderson said watching students grasp new skills was “magic."

Twenty law enforcement officers from Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset, Talbot, Caroline and Queen Anne’s counties graduated in the 95th entrance-level class of the Eastern Shore Criminal Justice Academy, operated by Wor-Wic Community College. Graduates included Coale Lenox of the ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Police Department (front right).

The Dave and Patsy Rommel Center for Entrepreneurship at ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ, in partnership with the City of ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ and D3, a local full-service digital marketing agency, recently announced the launch of the Downtown ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Brand Boost Grant Program. The initiative is designed to help small businesses strengthen their brand identity, improve visibility, and enhance their marketing presence. One selected downtown business will receive a comprehensive branding and marketing support package valued at more than $4,000.