Some of the people interviewed in the article "The Empty Chairs" (Fall 2004) about endowments for entrepreneurial chairs at universities seemed to have attitudes that are a little narrow. I don't understand why someone with a PhD in entrepreneurship would be as valuable for one of these teaching posts as someone who has actually "done it" in the real world. I am biased, since I have real-world experience as an entrepreneur. I wonder if I would have gained similarly valuable experience by taking a PhD instead. I would think centers for entrepreneurship would want individuals with real-world experience and accomplishments.

John O'Donnell

Raleigh, N.C.