Benjamin Castro C’25 shares how mentorship, strategy, and innovation come together at Bear Den
May 2025 – On Friday, May 2, Drew University’s Brother’s College became a hub of student innovation and entrepreneurial spirit during the spring 2025 installment of the biannual Bear Den competition.
Bear Den 2025
Nearly 200 students representing seven business, economics and finance courses—including Principles of Marketing, Consumer Behavior, Marketing Theory and Practice, Social Impact, Investments, Principles of Finance, and The Work of Innovation—presented final projects to panels consisting of more than 30 alums, faculty, and industry professionals. Many of the judges were Drew alums, returning to campus to mentor the next generation of business leaders.
Each course brought a distinct focus: Brand extensions in Principles of Marketing, partnerships with local and national companies in Consumer Behavior, civic engagement initiatives in Social Impact, portfolio creation in Principles of Finance, entrepreneurial ventures in The Work of Innovation, and foreign investment briefings in Investments. Students in the Marketing Theory and Practice capstone presented the culmination of their semester-long client projects.
Bear Den is hosted by Drew’s economics and business departments in collaboration with Launch and the Center for Career Development. The event, modeled after the television show Shark Tank, gave students the opportunity to pitch ideas and receive real-time feedback from experts in the field.
Benjamin Castro C’25 presented projects for both Consumer Behavior and the Marketing Theory and Practice capstone courses. For Consumer Behavior, his group partnered with A Work of Heart Productions to develop a promotional strategy for its upcoming theater production of Merrily We Roll Along, gaining firsthand experience working with a real-world client.
Nicole Lippey, founder of A Work of Heart Productions, offered direct feedback on the marketing strategy developed for the company’s upcoming production.
Bear Den 2025
“Bear Den asks you to think like a strategist, not just a student,” said Castro. “You’re not just explaining a project—you’re defending it, refining it and learning from every piece of feedback that comes your way.”
The Consumer Behavior course was conducted in partnership with the Riipen experiential learning platform.
Throughout the evening, students fielded tough questions from alum and industry judges, who offered constructive critiques and real-world advice. In many sessions, presentations evolved into collaborative discussions, prompting students to reflect and refine their work on the spot.
“As a recent alum who presented in previous editions of Bear Den, it was incredible to be on the other side for the first time,” said Preethi Rao C’24, who was a panelist for the Marketing capstone course. “These students showed remarkable creativity, work ethic and dedication to create innovative marketing campaigns that comprehensively addressed real-world business challenges.”
“Events like Bear Den bridge the gap between the classroom and the professional world,” said Katey DePinto, event coordinator of Launch. “Students learn how to think critically, communicate effectively, and adapt on the spot—all essential skills for their careers.”
Following the presentations, a networking reception gave students the opportunity to build connections, receive additional feedback and celebrate their achievements with peers and mentors.
Ranger Bear, the university mascot, also made a special appearance—mingling with students, alums, and faculty and adding a spirited touch to the evening.
For many graduating seniors, Bear Den served as a culminating academic experience—one that combined knowledge, creativity and the ability to think on their feet.
“It’s nerve-wracking, but you walk away knowing more than when you walked in,” said Lauren Cagliostro C’25. “And that’s what learning should feel like.”
Written by Benjamin Castro C’25, marketing and business double major.
