Monday, August 25, 2008
USI expanding partnership activities at Innovation Pointe
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University of Southern Indiana has named a manager of education and entrepreneurial support to connect USI services with clients at Innovation Pointe, the business incubator located in downtown Evansville, and others seeking more educational opportunities downtown. Gene Recker will offer a range of administrative, consulting, and networking services in this role. Innovation Pointe is an Indiana Certified Technology Park and an initiative of Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville (GAGE). GAGE offers a focused approach to economic development for the city. USI is the higher education partner for the certified technology park. Dr. M. Edward Jones, USI vice provost for outreach and dean of Extended Services, said, “The University of Southern Indiana has played a key role in the formation of Innovation Pointe. Having Gene at Innovation Pointe will enable us to substantially expand our activities, beginning this fall. Gene’s leadership in identifying instructional programs and consulting opportunities to support GAGE initiatives will result in a diverse set of programs and projects targeted to Innovation Pointe clients, downtown employers and residents, and the larger community.” A former general manager with Kimball International and a consultant, Recker has experience working with Microsoft, Pitney Bowes, Wells Fargo, family-owned businesses, and non-profit organizations. He earned an undergraduate degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from USI. Recker will assist people new to the business world or business veterans who want to test new processes. Depending on the business objectives, he can help understand and meet client needs, help improve performance, lead training, and offer individual coaching. His current focus is integrating originality into strategic planning, entrepreneurship, and leadership development. In addition to working with companies, Recker has experience with distributors, trade associations, colleges and universities, and other non-profits. Dr. Linda Bennett, USI provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said, “USI’s partnership with GAGE is an expression of the University’s mission to be engaged with regional businesses and industries. Innovation Pointe offers a beautiful and strategically located facility for collaboration between new and established businesses and the University community. We look forward to the leadership Gene Recker will bring to those collaborative efforts.” Research and instructional programs Recker will help integrate USI faculty and students into Innovation Pointe’s focus on developing an entrepreneurial culture. He will target USI faculty and students from the Colleges of Business and Science and Engineering to promote student internships, faculty consulting, and applied research opportunities. The primary focus of instructional programs offered on-site will be developing skills that promote the high tech/business development theme of Innovation Pointe, although a variety of other courses will be offered to meet specified needs of downtown employers and residents. Other USI resources will be involved at Innovation Pointe. The Center for Applied Research will implement a multi-year innovation and commercialization program that will aid innovative business practices, increase the base of innovation assets, and foster good business practice to realize financial gain. The centers for Continuing Education and Human Resource Development will provide a variety of noncredit offerings. USI Nearby, the off-campus, credit-course program, will coordinate undergraduate and graduate courses. Joe Wallace, president and CEO of GAGE, said, “The partnership between USI and GAGE demonstrates a shared recognition that education and economic development can be interwoven for greater potential rewards.” Dr. Jones and Mark Rozewski, vice president for Business Affairs at USI, are founding members of the GAGE Board of Directors. Recker’s office will be located at Innovation Pointe. His e-mail is garecker@usi.edu and phone is 812/492-4394. Kathy Funke News and Information Services kfunke@usi.edu 812/465-7050 |
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