{"id":9046,"date":"2020-11-06T20:25:34","date_gmt":"2020-11-06T20:25:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/news\/2020\/11\/11\/furman-innovation-entrepreneurship-gains-global-recognition\/"},"modified":"2022-09-07T15:36:14","modified_gmt":"2022-09-07T19:36:14","slug":"furman-innovation-entrepreneurship-gains-global-recognition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.furman.edu\/news\/furman-innovation-entrepreneurship-gains-global-recognition\/","title":{"rendered":"Furman Innovation, Entrepreneurship gains global recognition"},"content":{"rendered":"

Furman University\u2019s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship<\/a> has been named an Outstanding Emerging Entrepreneurship Center by the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers<\/a>, a group of more than 250 universities.<\/p>\n

Other recipients of the award were Boston University, Eastern Washington University and Smith College. The centers, which had to have been nominated for the award within five years of launching, were judged on early success, engagement with stakeholders on and off campus, an established management team, novel or unique approaches and clearly established goals and objectives. Winners in recent years include Dartmouth College, Brown University, Vanderbilt University, Virginia Tech and Babson College.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis recognition is a testament to Furman\u2019s commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship and the unparalleled support by the campus community, alumni, parents, community members, administration and Board of Trustees,\u201d said Anthony Herrera, executive director of Furman Innovation and Entrepreneurship. \u201cIn just two short years, we have built a globally recognized institute and paved a way for Furman to lead nationally among liberal arts and sciences universities in the space of innovation and entrepreneurship.\u201d<\/p>\n

Three strengths set Furman apart from other universities, Herrera said: engaged faculty and students from across disciplines; strong ties with the community, including city and state government organizations as well as local venture capital groups; and a core group of alumni and parents who provide financial support, making the effort self-sustaining.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis award signals that a liberal arts and sciences education can be a catalyst for innovation, that students who come to Furman can have a profoundly impactful experience as innovators and entrepreneurs regardless of their choice of major,\u201d said Furman President Elizabeth Davis. \u201cWe are grateful that the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers recognized Furman\u2019s role in creating an ecosystem of entrepreneurship for our students, faculty and the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe heart of innovation and entrepreneurship is creativity, in identifying opportunities and solving problems,\u201d said Kem Wilson III \u201998, a Furman trustee and alumnus, principal of Kemmons Wilson Companies and supporter of Furman Innovation and Entrepreneurship. \u201cThe entrepreneurial experience Furman students can experience will benefit them regardless of their career path.\u201d Wilson\u2019s grandfather founded Holiday Inn. The company that bears his name now manages a diverse portfolio of companies spanning a myriad of industries, from hospitality to green technology to consumer brands.<\/p>\n

Furman Innovation and Entrepreneurship sprang from The Furman Advantage<\/a> and its focus on self-discovery, engaging the community and experiential education. It launched in August 2018 with Herrera\u2019s hiring and has become \u201ca perfect vehicle to encourage cross-disciplinary thinking and provide students, faculty and community members a place to participate in engaged learning experiences,\u201d Herrera said.<\/p>\n

Early successes were easy to point to.<\/p>\n