SEMO Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship dedicated in Friday ceremony

The Academy Award of his business career is how Douglas C. Greene views the honor of the Southeast Missouri State University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship being dedicated in his name.

"This honor, as far as I'm concerned, is probably one of the greatest things that is ever going to happen to me or has ever happened to me and my business career," he said. "It's really a result of not only my input, but the input of so many people at the university that has made the CIE what it is today."

A dedication ceremony was held Friday at Kem Hall Wehking Alumni Center at Southeast. Speakers included Southeast president Dr. Ken Dobbins, board of regents president Donald Bedell and James Stapleton, executive director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

A portrait of Greene, painted by Gilbert Early of St. Louis, was unveiled following the speakers and will be placed in the center. A ribbon cutting for the building was held after the ceremony.

The university's board of regents approved naming of the center for Greene in December.

Stapleton said Greene was an excellent choice because of his persistence and role as a mentor in the development of the entrepreneurship program.

"In the true entrepreneurial spirit, Doug has continued to provide support and help us along the way in creating value for our students and others in our community," he said.

From left Brad Bedell, President of the Board of Regents, Douglas Greene, wife Heather Greene and Southeast Missouri State University President Kenneth Dobbins unveil a portrait honoring Douglas Greene during the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Dedication Ceremony on Friday, May 13, 2011. (Kristin Eberts)

Dobbins said the mission of the entrepreneurship education program at Southeast is to foster entrepreneurial spirit by providing experiences that inspire and encourage students regardless of their career aspirations or what they go on to do in life. It will encourage students to embrace creativity and to embrace the mission. Majors and minors in entrepreneurship are offered through the program.

"It brings a focus on entrepreneurship innovation and that's what we want," he said. "Students are now going into those classes and going into those programs because they know they can be successful, and without him [Greene] we wouldn't be there."

Greene said the program offers students a head start on their career paths.

"Today only one out of five graduates actually end up with a job when they leave college, so having this jump-start on the career path, knowing what they can learn here at the university, to me is the whole purpose of entrepreneurism," he said.

Dobbins said Greene and his wife, Heather, have been generous financial supporters of the university, establishing scholarships and programs. Some of the donations include a $200,000 10-year commitment to provide scholarship support to students interested in entrepreneurship and a planned gift of more than $1 million to establish the Douglas and Heather Greene Endowed Fund for entrepreneurial students, providing scholarships and enhancement and expansion of the center.

Greene also established the Janet Paar Greene Endowed Scholarship through the university's foundation, which honors the memory of his late first wife, who was a Southeast alumna.

Greene said the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship adds another dimension to the university by making it one of first choice, which could not have been possible without the entire support of the university.

"They say it takes a village. Well, in this case, it took the whole university to get behind the program to make it as successful as it is today, and I'm just a part of that," he said.

rrolwing@semissourian.com

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