MassChallenge is a million-dollar business plan competition open to young entrepreneurs from around the world.  Two recent BDIC graduates, Alex Cook and Adam O'Neill are finalists.  Their company is called Rentabilities.  UMass Computer Science graduate Andy Cook is also on their team.

They are featured in the video, Behind the Scenes with 5 MassChallenge Finalists:

Rentabilities offers a profile service for rental stores, which allows them to list all of their inventory and information on their site in a few minutes.   

BDIC began in September, 1970, so it's now the 40th anniversary!

BDIC is celebrating with a year of special activities.

First up is Tom Benedek, who graduated in 1971--the first BDIC graduate.  Tom is a Hollywood screenwriter who has worked with Ron Howard, Martin Scorsese, Sydney Pollack and other notable directors.  He wrote the screenplays for Cocoon and many other films.

Tom is also a photographer and sculptor.  Take a look at his work at tombenedek.com

Tom's visit is October, 5.  He will be lecturing to BDIC students at 4pm.  Save the date!  The location will be announced later.

Did you know that four BDIC students received the UMass Amherst Senior Leadership Award in 2010?

This is more recipients than any other department.

Congratulations to Ana Dechtiar, Danielle Dean, Samantha Baliban, and Melissa Castro.

Danielle also received the 21st Century Leadership Award.

Kerry Shields was a Fulbright Scholarship recipient.

Peter Merzbacher was the sole winner of a national prize called the Portz Interdisciplinary Fellowship.

Peter is featured on the News section of this website for his farming initiative in Springfield.

Why do BDIC students do so well with leadership awards?  Why are many BDIC alumni in leadership positions

We think it's because of the special initiative it takes to be a BDIC student and the very interesting concentrations that BDIC students develop.

What do you think?  Please post your comments here.

Peter Merzbacher (Globalization Studies) is combining the study of food, sustainability, and urbanization in his BDIC concentration.  Peter also has an entrepreneurial spirit: He has launched New Growth, an urban educational farm in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Read more about Peter and New Growth here.

A 1970s graduate with a concentration in Outdoor Education, Leslie is now a field instructor and marketing director at the National Outdoor Leadership School.