As other Mississippi State students trek home for fall break, one MSU student will explore the horizons of science and technology with a select few U.S. innovators at the White House Frontiers Conference hosted President Barak Obama in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Oct. 13.
The conference aims to bring together great thinkers like MSU’s Terence Williams to discuss how advancements in “Frontier” areas like space technology, climate change mitigation and artificial intelligence can improve the lives of the American people.
Williams, a software development major and entrepreneur, founded his company Nobility Tech while participating in the incubator program at MSU’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. His mobile app, Bully Walk, helps people navigate the MSU campus.
“In the South, we’re very unrepresented as innovators in technology,” Williams said. “I just want provide an outlook for people, whether they’re young or old, to see innovation is going on in Mississippi — that developers can come to Mississippi, that a development company can survive here in the South.”
Williams has been selected to be part of a group focusing on the field of connective technology at the conference.
Assistance from MSU
Jeffrey Rupp, E-Center outreach director, said the E-Center has provided Williams with business and marketing resourcing, as well as funding of more than $5,000, to help him to expand his vision. Rupp said, however, Williams already had an innovative app with Bully Walk when he approached the E-Center.
“He’s just one of the hardest-working smartest kids that I’ve met in quite some time, and I appreciate him giving us credit, but all we’re trying to do is support him,” Rupp said. “The things that Mississippi and Mississippi State get back from people like Terence is those are the ones that can help us create a better image for Mississippi.”
Eric A. Hill, E-Center entrepreneurship director, said Williams’ invitation to the Frontiers Conference is undoubtedly justified.
Hill said he meets with Terence about once a week to get an update on his business, and when he began meeting with Williams, Williams was more focused on the public utility of his products than their commercial viability. Hill said he has since watched Terence hone his business sense and learn to apply more ideas in a larger scope with greater impact.
“It’s nice to see somebody who’s talented from Mississippi get recognized for that kind of talent in the work that he’s doing,” Hill said. “I think it also speaks to Terence’s ability to understand how to market both himself and his skill set and use that to an advantage.”
Attending the conference
Williams said though he is unsure of what to expect from the conference, he is excited to see what the president has in store.
“President Obama wants to explore the future of innovation here in the United States, possibly around the world,” Williams said. “Once we get up there, it’s going to pretty much be hearing from him and possibly giving our own input.”
To raise money for travel and boarding expenses related to the trip, Williams started a GoFundMe page. He is still short of his $2,000 goal.
That may not be an issue. Hill said a successful business owner and former E-Center participant wants to cover the trip’s expenses.
“That’s really special to me because you know we’re giving grants and we’re giving support to students, and we’re hoping that they become successful and give back to the next generation,” Hill said. “And this is the first really cool examples where that’s happened.”
The benefactor, who wishes to remain anonymous, said he feels solidarity with Williams as an entrepreneur and wants to pay forward assistance he received.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.