SHSU/Montgomery College Form Entrepreneurship Institute

James Gaertner (second from right), president of Sam Houston State University, comments on the formation of the Entrepreneurship Institute, a unique partnership between Montgomery College and SHSU. Also pictured are (from left): Kevin Nguyen, assistant professor of accounting and economics at MC, James Zipperer, professor of accounting at MC, Tom Butler, MC president, and Charles R.B. (Chuck) Stowe, professor of general business and finance at SHSU. Zipperer will serve as the institute's executive director, while Stowe will serve as director, and Nguyen as assistant director.

In a joint effort to promote and encourage entrepreneurship, Montgomery College and Sam Houston State University have created an Entrepreneurship Institute.

Tom Butler, president of Montgomery College, and James Gaertner, president of Sam Houston State University, signed the joint agreement that will create the institute Oct. 9.

It is thought to be the first such partnership between a community college and university in the state of Texas.

"Our mission is, first and foremost, to increase the level of entrepreneurship in our region," said Butler. "By partnering with SHSU, we will be able to offer a wide variety of components to the institute, including both formal and informal learning opportunities, training, mentoring, networking, and much more."

The Institute will include an entrepreneurship club at Montgomery College and, soon to follow, a similar club at SHSU. Plans include the development of 'virtual' club meetings available on both MC and SHSU Web sites. Additionally, the institute will include training and professional development opportunities, speaking engagements, and other services.

"The institute serves to connect the college and university in a cooperative effort designed to promote innovation, develop new entrepreneurs, while providing an economic stimulus for our community," said James F. Zipperer, executive director of the institute and professor of economics at MC. "It will work closely in conjunction with the college's continuing education and workforce education areas."

Charles R. B. (Chuck) Stowe is a full professor specializing in entrepreneurship at SHSU in the department of general business and finance in the College of Business Administration, and will serve as the institute's director. Stowe's doctorate involved research in international finance and entrepreneurship. He also has 15 years experience as a venture capitalist before coming to SHSU, where he initiated courses in entrepreneurship and a minor in entrepreneurship that is open to all majors.

Stowe is also assisting MC in getting its student organization started. Kevin Nguyen, assistant professor of accounting and economics at MC, is the institute's assistant director. The institute will be housed at Montgomery College in the Business and Social Sciences division (Building F). The institute's phone number is 936.271.6198.

"What makes this so exciting is that any student at MC or SHSU--or anyone in the community--can become an entrepreneur," said Zipperer. "It crosses all disciplines. An art major, for instance, has the potential to start his or her own business. The skills needed to start one's own business, in most situations, are universal. That's where the institute can make a difference."

The institute will sponsor opportunities for students to meet real entrepreneurs and to participate in 'real world' case competitions sponsored by Vanderbilt University's Entrepreneurs in Action program, headed by Wil Clouse, and SHSU.

"Getting our students to develop personal career goals and interest in specific industries by participating in our 'E squared Network' program will offer our students a unique opportunity to develop a network," said Stowe. "The E squared Network program will also benefit local employers because they will get a lead on motivated and reliable future employees."

For more information about Montgomery College, visit www.montgomery-college.com, or call 936.273.7000. Information about Sam Houston State University is available at http://www.shsu.edu/ or by calling 1.866.BEARKAT (1.866.232.7528).

—END—

SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
Oct. 16, 2006
Please send comments, corrections, news tips to Today@Sam.edu.