THE FALLON CHALLENGE

Rodney J. Fallon Scholarship

Create

Create a 1-minute video that tells us about your business mission and vision

Build

Build your business with the mentorship of the Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship

Develop

Develop entrepreneurial skills and gain a network to prepare for career endeavors

Pitch

Pitch your business to be named our annual Rodney J. Fallon Scholarship recipient

ABOUT

Rodney J. Fallon

Rodney James Fallon, the father of three JMU College of Business students, was a family man with a strong faith, love of life, entrepreneurial spirit, and work ethic. The Fallon family is proud to honor their beloved father and husband by awarding the Rodney J. Fallon Scholarship to deserving JMU students each year.

THE COMPETITION

Application opens in October 2024 and is accepted on a rolling basis through February 2025. Click the Apply Now button to complete and submit the application (students are encouraged to apply early!).

Application

Oct 2024 - Feb 2025

The Rodney J. Fallon Scholarship is awarded to the winner(s) of The Fallon Challenge; this $2,000 award recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit, passion, drive, and 'up for a challenge' mentality of our recipient.

Scholarship

March 2025

Finalists are invited to compete at The Fallon Challenge, a Shark Tank-style business pitch competition, at the College of Business Learning Complex on March 12, 2025.

Pitch & Presentation

March 2025

Engage in mentorship and coaching meetings with Gilliam Center for Entrepreneurship faculty and staff to build your business.

Business Development Meetings

Oct 2024 - Feb 2025

The Fallon Challenge is the single most rewarding experience that I have been a part of at JMU. From finalist and competitor to student ambassador, it has provided me with direction, new friendships, and preparation for my career goals.

Before this competition our idea was merely research, but The Fallon Challenge sparked our entrepreneurial mindsets and gave us the drive to turn our research into a business

This scholarship has lightened my financial load and boosted my confidence in pursuing my education and entrepreneurial dreams

This scholarship represents more than just financial support for my education; it symbolizes an investment in my aspirations, my new dedication to entrepreneurship, and my commitment to academic excellence.

2025 DETAILS

The Fallon Challenge events and activities occur in the fall and spring semesters. Students are encouraged to engage early to get the full experience of building a business with faculty, entrepreneur, and alumni mentorship to be named a competition finalist.

Applications Accepted on a Rolling Basis – October 2024 to February 14, 2025

Business Development Meetings – October 2024 through February 2025

Competition Finalists Announced – February 28, 2025

Finalist Pizza and Prep Night – March 4, 2025

The Fallon Challenge – March 12, 2025 at 5:30PM ; JMU College of Business, Hartman Hall Room 2021
Open to all majors and grade levels! Compete in teams of 1-2 JMU students – must be a current, full time, undergraduate student. For-profit business and non-profit organizations accepted.
Finalists pitch in a 7-minute presentation and 3-minute question and answer in a College of Business Learning Complex room full of camaraderie, healthy competition, and fun. Learn more about the selection criteria for this year.
The Rodney J. Fallon Scholarship is a $2,000 award presented to the winner(s) of The Fallon Challenge. Our scholarship recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit, passion, drive, and 'up for a challenge' mentality of the recipient.
The panel of judges consists of distinguished entrepreneurs, business leaders, and alumni ready to engage, invest, and advise our finalists. Past panelists include Sandy Corbett, Dawn Striff, Kendall Morris, Andrew Carlone, and Aaron Ludwig
JMU Engineering student, Brian Scully, created Pangea Construction Group – a business that builds on his passion for design and construction specializing in end-to-end decking solutions.