At a time when many college students are busy enough simply getting out of bed and going to class, Peter Jansen would like to be busier. At just 22-years-old, the recent graduate has done more than many people far beyond his years. As an enterprising 12-year-old he began cutting lawns in his neighborhood; now he owns a full-service landscaping business maintaining property for 25 clients. Perhaps it is this entrepreneurial spirit that made Jansen so appealing to various scholarship programs. Already a recipient of a Presidential Scholarship when he began at UMBC, the national honors student was nominated for a T. Rowe Price Scholarship. After a strenuous interview process, Jansen won the award, which covered tuition and expenses for four years. While admittedly an "unexpected financial blessing," the scholarship also pushed him to work harder socially and academically to take advantage of the opportunities it presented. "When you are in college, you have to learn how to decide who you want to be and what you want to look back at."

Displaying wisdom that belies his age, Jansen explains that his secret to success is simple: "If you keep your head on straight and prioritize, you end up all right." With graduation behind him, Jansen is heading for a career in the financial service sector. With his strong work ethic and unique entrepreneurial spirit, there's little doubt that Jansen will continue to make his mark - in business and beyond.

Did You Know?
UMBC's Alex. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship, created in 2000, offers a variety of courses and programs to help launch and grow new business ventures, including a CEO Club for student entrepreneurs. The University's new ACTiVATE program, developed with funding from the National Science Foundation, targets women interested in starting technology companies. To find more information online about entrepreneurship initiatives at UMBC, go to www.umbc.edu/entrepreneurship/.