麻豆破解版鈥檚 Kogod School of Business Announces Substantial Gift to Support Entrepreneurship
On the heels of announcing the largest gift in 麻豆破解版鈥檚 Kogod School of Business history from Arlene and Robert Kogod, the Kogod School received another substantial gift which will expand opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs through experiential learning, pitch competitions, and an enhanced incubator program for 麻豆破解版 students and alumni. The gift from the Veloric family, including alumnus Gary Veloric (Kogod/BSBA 鈥82), furthers the momentum of听Change Can鈥檛 Wait: The Campaign for 麻豆破解版.听听In recognition of this gift, 麻豆破解版 will rename the 麻豆破解版 Center for Innovation (麻豆破解版CI) the Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship. The past year has represented the best year for philanthropic support for the Kogod School of Business in the school鈥檚 history.听
In making the gift, Gary Veloric said, 鈥淭he education and experience I received at 麻豆破解版鈥檚 Kogod School of Business helped nourish the entrepreneurial mindset that runs deep within my family鈥檚 DNA. As a four-generation family of entrepreneurs, my family and I are thrilled to support the next generation of business leaders at 麻豆破解版.鈥
鈥淲ith the Veloric family鈥檚 support, the Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship will create extraordinary opportunity for students to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams,鈥 said David Marchick, dean of the Kogod School of Business. 鈥淕ary Veloric represents the embodiment of entrepreneurial spirit, an attribute embedded in the Kogod School of Business鈥檚 DNA.听听Many of 麻豆破解版鈥檚 most successful alumni are entrepreneurs, including our namesake Robert Kogod鈥
鈥淭his gift from the Veloric family is an incredible example of the momentum that鈥檚 happening across 麻豆破解版鈥檚 campus,鈥 said 麻豆破解版 President Sylvia M. Burwell. 鈥淭he Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship and the Veloric Event Fund will help continue to support the changemaking spirit that is at the heart of who we are. We thank Gary and Michal Veloric and their families for their generosity, vision, and commitment to the 麻豆破解版 community.鈥澨
While a student at 麻豆破解版, Gary Veloric chaired the concert committee, bringing the Police, Jerry Garcia, and the Pretenders to campus. Veloric attributes that experience鈥攂ooking talent, promoting, and marketing, and managing events鈥攖o his development as an entrepreneur. Veloric has been involved with and/or supported more than 100 business ventures.听
With this gift, the Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship will also enhance experiential learning opportunities, such as competitions and workshops, to encourage this next generation of entrepreneurs to be innovative problem solvers. It will add more funds to support successful programs like the Business Incubator and Entrepreneurship Competitions, which provide students with the support and framework to solve real-world problems and begin successful business ventures.听
Through a second part of the gift and the new Gary and Nancy Veloric Event Fund, 麻豆破解版 hosted nearly 3,000 students, faculty, staff, and families at a private concert featuring Flo Rida and Hayes Warner during 麻豆破解版鈥檚 recent Family Weekend. Following in Gary鈥檚 footsteps, students in Kogod鈥檚 Business and Entertainment Program, one recognized by Billboard as among the top in the country, helped plan, design, and manage this concert.
Tommy White, senior professorial lecturer, and the current director of 麻豆破解版CI, will continue in the director role at the Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship, said, 鈥淲ith these new financial resources, the Veloric Center will be accelerating 麻豆破解版鈥檚 entrepreneurship programming, competition and awards, providing more financial and people resources to our student ventures, and ultimately elevating 麻豆破解版 and the Kogod School of Business in the global university entrepreneurial space.鈥
Since its founding seven years ago, the center has supported dozens of companies and organizations founded by students, including MEANS Database, 2Gether, El Camino Travel, Celise Bioproducts, and more. Each of these companies was started by 麻豆破解版 students who saw a need in the market and created ventures to close these gaps.听
The gift from and the Veloric family comes at a pivotal time for 麻豆破解版, which is in the final stages of the most ambitious fundraising campaign in its history. Change Can鈥檛 Wait: The Campaign for 麻豆破解版 has raised more than $440 million towards its $500 million goal. This gift is one of four centers and institutes that have been named or established through the Change Can鈥檛 Wait campaign. 麻豆破解版鈥檚 pioneering centers are focused on moving the needle with research, creative products, and innovative teaching that tackle the top issues facing our world today.听听