Community Corner
Trumbull Resident Helps QU Celebrate Opening Of Innovation Center
"It's places like this that can generate the possibilities that we all see," McKinney said. "We can make the change. We are the change."
From QU:Quinnipiac University’s School of Business recently hosted a reception to mark the reopening of the People’s United Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, 275 Mount Carmel Ave.
The event took place Oct. 24 at the center, which strives to support the entrepreneurial spirit at Quinnipiac “Entrepreneurial centers force people to think differently, to think without preconceptions and to turn things on their head,” Quinnipiac President Judy Olian said. “The word is that 50 percent of jobs in 2030 do not exist today. So the coin of the realm, the name of the game in education, is adaptability, innovativeness and curiosity.”
It’s this shared mindset that fostered the partnership between Quinnipiac and People’s United Bank, according to People’s United President Jeff Tengel.
Find out what's happening in Trumbullfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“It’s about giving back to the community, and as we think about keeping jobs in Connecticut, we think this is a great way for us to try and achieve that goal,” Tengel said. “We really look forward to partnering with the university and helping the People’s United Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship be all that we think it can be.”
Fred McKinney, of Trumbull, the Carlton Highsmith Chair for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and director of the People’s United Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, is eager to facilitate these relationships and work with the next generation of student entrepreneurs.
Find out what's happening in Trumbullfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“It’s places like this that can generate the possibilities that we all see,” McKinney said. “We can make the change. We are the change.”
Highsmith, a prominent businessman, a longtime friend of the university and vice chairman of the Board of Trustees, said he strongly believes in the values of hard work, entrepreneurship and innovation.
“I once read if you can become a successful entrepreneur, you can change the trajectory of your life forever,” Highsmith said. “So I started a small business in a basement office in New Haven. Over the next 30 some-odd years, that business grew to become one of the largest minority-owned businesses in the country, driven primarily by innovation.”
People’s United Bank, one of the largest independent banks headquartered in the Northeast, and Quinnipiac announced a $10 million partnership in May. As part of the 10-year agreement, People’s United Bank donated $5 million to Quinnipiac to support two major academic centers in the School of Business –– the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and the Center for Women & Business.
Quinnipiac agreed to match the $5 million donation and move its university-wide banking to People’s United Bank for the 10-year term coinciding with the agreement. In addition, Quinnipiac’s Sports Center was renamed the People’s United Center.
Using its vast resources and programs for students, faculty and alumni, the People’s United Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship works to turn ideas into viable business solutions. The center taps into the expertise of successful business professionals, advanced research capabilities and its access to business capital. It also provides advisory services and workshops in legal, finance, research, marketing, design, business plan development and startup mentoring.
Image via Shuttershock
