Dr. Wade Newman Launches $1,000 Entrepreneur Award for Undergraduate Students
The Dr. Wade Newman Award for Entrepreneurs provides financial support and recognition for undergraduate students who demonstrate commitment to integrating social responsibility and community impact into their business ventures.
The Dr. Wade Newman Award for Entrepreneurs has been established to provide $1,000 in financial support for undergraduate students pursuing entrepreneurship as a career. Created by Dr. Wade Newman, founder of Eagle Valley Family Dentistry and Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard, the award reflects his lifelong commitment to service, leadership, and empowering the next generation to create meaningful change through business innovation.
Dr. Newman's career exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit the award seeks to celebrate. After earning his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from West Virginia University School of Dentistry in 2000, he built a thriving dental practice while simultaneously serving for over 20 years in the Air National Guard. His journey from police officer to dental professional to business owner demonstrates the resilience, adaptability, and vision required for entrepreneurial success.
Throughout his career, Dr. Newman has balanced multiple roles with distinction, providing compassionate dental care to his community while serving in leadership positions including President of the Pennsylvania Dental Association and completing critical military missions in challenging environments such as Bani Bangou, Africa. In 2018, he founded Eagle Valley Family Dentistry in Milesburg, Pennsylvania, creating a practice built on his core values of integrity, service, and excellence.
The award extends Dr. Newman's philosophy of using one's skills and resources to uplift others, demonstrated through his volunteer work with Mission of Mercy and Give Kids a Smile. The program aims to invest in students who aspire to build businesses that serve their communities and create positive impact. Eligible applicants must be currently enrolled undergraduate students at accredited U.S. colleges or universities pursuing entrepreneurship studies or demonstrating clear intention to pursue entrepreneurship as a career. Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
The application requires students to submit an original 500-750 word essay responding to how they plan to integrate social responsibility and community impact into their entrepreneurial journey. Essays will be evaluated based on demonstrated commitment to ethical entrepreneurship, clarity of vision, understanding of social responsibility in business, writing quality, and genuine passion for creating positive community impact. Students can find additional information at https://drwadenewmanaward.com/.
The application deadline is July 15, 2026, with the winner announced on August 15, 2026. This initiative represents a significant opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to receive both financial support and recognition for their commitment to building businesses that prioritize community service alongside commercial success.