Xavier University News December 2011 XU Students Bring Clean Water to Liberia New Orleans LA - Clean drinking water is something we may take for granted here in the United States, but in other parts of the world it is not so easy to come by. A small group of Xavier students are part of a class that is not only researching this issue, but taking steps to making clean water a reality. The class - Sales for Social Impact - is based in the University's Division of Business' Entrepreneurship Institute. Led by E.I. director and professor Mark Quinn, the students are working together to create a business and feasibility plan for an innovative product with a focus on the African country of Liberia. The class was developed with the proceeds of a grant from the Frontline Program of the 3M Foundation. Students Derrick Bradley, Venus Black, Herstyn Jones and Derek Williams each have a role in the formation of the plan and the group will present their final plan to 3M executives Dec. 2 at 3M headquarters in St. Paul MN. Bradley, a third year pharmacy student from Ringgold LA, is in charge of operations. "I look at the feasibility, the raw materials and the technical aspect," he explained. "Before taking this class I was aware of the world's water problems, but did not realize it was this big. Earlier in the semester we had to complete research reports and get background information for the project. I think we're all more global minded because of this course." Black, a senior from Bloomington IL for whom the class represents a convergence of her double majors (sociology and marketing), is responsible for the finance part of the project. Jones, a marketing senior from Shreveport LA and a veteran business plan competition participant said that although he has competed, the course was an eye opener for him as well. "Working on this project I have learned that this is about more than just the product and the customer. You have so much more to consider and pay attention to in order to have a successful outcome." This is no one hour, once a week easy course. Of course there is the usual class work, guest speakers and discussions, but it goes beyond that for this group. The team meets in class once a week for two and one-half hours, but also meets outside of class at regularly scheduled meetings on Thursdays and Saturdays ... and sometimes more often. "It is very time consuming, and we're each doing our own research outside of when we meet as a group, but we want to make sure we have a quality product and plan," said Jones. "I certainly have much more respect for business now," said Williams a senior biology major from Bangor MI. "This can be tedious work. There is a lot of research involved and a lot of adjustments to be made. Communications with a third world country has been one of our biggest challenges." But despite the setbacks and obstacles, all of the team members consider it a positive experience. "Our speakers were really helpful," said Black. "We had a former Peace Corp participant who gave us good feedback about what to expect and some of the difficulties we might face in this kind of country, and what he had to go through to get clean water, considering he contracted malaria twice!" "We think we have a great product, that is far less expensive than other devices like it," Jones explained. "The inventors of the product are retired 3M engineers and it utilizes solar energy and can produce up to 10 gallons of clean, microbial free water each hour." The group received a prototype of the product (known as "AquaTherm") and has installed it on campus to test it and actually get a feel for how it works and ease of use. "We are planning to market it as a microenterprise to charities, non-profits and small businesses. So it is important for us to know first-hand how well it works," said Bradley. The class has done research on the international water crisis, and case studies of other companies, looking at their distribution methods and similarities. They've even reviewed the memoir of the current president of Liberia. "Social responsibility is important," said Williams. "We are not only finding a way to provide a clean water alternative in a remote area, at an affordable price, but as a result the project could possibly create jobs, stimulating the economy, here and in Liberia, and making it profitable." "I would certainly recommend this class for someone interested in becoming an entrepreneur, said Black. "It gives you the tools you need to take your ideas to the next level. It's not easy, but it is rewarding. " Quinn is as excited about the possibilities as his students. "This is not just an academic exercise," he said. "We plan on pursuing it beyond this initial class. We believe this can make a big difference in the world." SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.