Besides gaining a quality education, one of the benefits of attending a top business school such as Wharton at the University of Pennsylvania, is the chance to make connections and form friendships that will last a lifetime. That was certainly the experience of Wharton graduate, Ira Riklis. He’s remained grateful for his experiences there and especially for his connection with Dr. William Zucker, who started as his advisor and went on to become his mentor and his dearest friend.
In honor of that friendship, Ira Riklis recently funded an Entrepreneurial Intern Fellowship program in the name of Dr. Zucker, who passed away in 2006. The fellowship, which is in addition to the support the Ira Riklis’ currently provide to the university, provides paid internship opportunities for outstanding students to enable them to spend a summer in an entrepreneurial setting. Students receiving the internship support then become Ambassadors of Entrepreneurship who pass along what they’ve learned by working to promote the entrepreneurial career path to other Wharton students.