Innovation week 2026
Union University’s Innovation Week 2026 brought students, faculty, and community leaders together for five days of creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurial thinking. Centered on the theme “Designing the Future with Purpose,” the week challenged students to think differently, solve real-world problems, and turn innovative ideas into action.
The week kicked off on Monday, September 28, with a keynote from Entrepreneur-in-Residence Dr. Stacy McCracken, who helped set the stage for a week of creative problem-solving. On Tuesday night students joined Dr. McCracken to consider how to use design thinking to design their college experiences with purpose. Throughout the week, 10 student teams participated in a three-session Design Thinking Cohort, learning how to identify problems, develop solutions, and refine their ideas.
Thursday evening featured the Leadership & Innovation Dinner, bringing together students and leaders for an opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and explore the role of innovation in leadership.
The week culminated on Friday, October 2, with Bark Tank, Union’s very own pitch competition. Students pitched their ideas in two tracks: Bring Your Own Idea, which encouraged original entrepreneurial concepts, and the Yukon Outfitters Innovation Challenge, which invited students to tackle a real-world design challenge. With more than $5,000 in prizes available, participants had an exciting opportunity to put their creativity and presentation skills to the test.
Innovation Week was made possible through the support of the Provost’s Office Scholar-in-Residence Series, our industry partner Yukon Outfitters, and the many faculty, staff, judges, and mentors who invested in our students. We look forward to seeing how the ideas and connections formed this week continue to grow!
