lawrence tech - engaging entrepreneurial alumni - open 2011

ENGAGING ENTREPRENEURIAL ALUMNI: The Challenges and the Opportunity

Donald M. Reimer and Gregory J. Feierfeil

Lawrence Technological University

Southfield, Michigan

Mission and Value Statement• The Legends is an organization of Lawrence Tech

entrepreneurial alumni whose purpose is to foster and enhance the entrepreneurial mindset among our students.

• The Legends will also serve as a network and a forum for Lawrence Tech alumni to share their entrepreneurial journey and experiences.

• The Legends will strive to identify business opportunities and future commericalization of intellectual property within the Lawrence Tech family.

The Legends of Lawrence Tech• Entrepreneurial Alumni who own all or

part of a business enterprise

• Entrepreneurial Alumni who are employed by larger corporations and who are corporate entrepreneurs

• Attended Lawrence Tech and did not graduate; however, did create a business

Entrepreneurial Lecture Series

Meet The LegendsRaymond Ormachea, BSIM’02 Donald A. Stevens, BSA’92Co-Founder, Automated Systems Stucc on Steel Building Systems

Gretchen Minnhaar, BSArE’59 Michael Fitzpatrick, BSME’73

Gretchen Minnhaar Designs President, Fitzpatrick Manufacturing

Keith Pratt, BSIM’82 Don Bernhardt, BSME’86Chairman and CEO Vice President, NA Seat Operations Shared Vision, LLC Lear Corporation

David Barbyshire, BSME, ’87 Derek Richmond, BSME’97Dasi Solutions, LLC Partner, The Nath Law Group

Gina Van Tine, BSAr’89, Bar’94 Daniel McNulty, P.E., BSCvE’92Principal, inFORM Studio COO, Atwell, LLC

Engaging The Legends

Purpose of The Legends• Mentor student entrepreneurs in CEO

• Share their entrepreneurial journey at the Entrepreneurial Lecture Series

• Participate in the Entrepreneurial Internship Program supported by the Kern Family Foundation

• Network with other entrepreneurial alumni

• Enhance the entrepreneurial curriculum

Programs and Events• Entrepreneurial Lecture Series

• Entrepreneurial Alumni of the Month

• Student Awards and Recognition Programs

• Sponsor Understanding the World of Entrepreneurship Summer Workshop

• Mentoring CEO Club

• Speaking to students in classes

• Entrepreneurial Internship Program

Involvement of the University Advancement Office

• Maintains an ongoing relationship with alumni

• Maintains a data base of Lawrence Tech alumni

• Assisted in identifying entrepreneurial alumni- 918

• Identified key alumni business owners and corporate entrepreneurs

• Communicates with entrepreneurial alumni

The Role of the Champion• Promote entrepreneurial alumni to the Alumni

Association Board of Directors

• Stimulate interest in the alumni entrepreneurial engagement with the University Advancement and Alumni Relations Office

• Promote entrepreneurial activity across the entire Lawrence Tech Campus

• Identify key entrepreneurial alumni for the steering committee

The Legends - Leadership• Past president of the University Alumni Board

served as Champion

• Served as chair of organizational steering committee

• Identified other key entrepreneurial alumni and got them engaged

• Served as a liaison with the University Advancement Office and Alumni Board

Initial Step – Formation of the Steering Committee

• Engaging entrepreneurial alumni from all colleges within the University

• Identifying the key entrepreneurial alumni who have an interest in serving on the Steering Committee

• Identifying the chair of Steering Committee who has the time to serve

Role of the Steering Committee• Establish the vision and mission of the

organization

• Develop the By-Laws

• Create well-represented Board of Directors

• Identify operating committees

• Establish operating budget and identify the funding resources

• Create a strategic plan

Organizational Activities• Entrepreneurial Lecture Series

• Entrepreneurial Digital Library

• Brand Camp University – Social Media Seminar

• Funding Student Team Projects

• Working with CEO Club

• The Legend of the Year

The Legend of the Month

Committees• Executive Committee

• Membership

• Awards and Recognition

• Commercialization and Intellectual Property

• Mentoring

• Communication

Challenges• Identifying and communicating with

entrepreneurial alumni

• Funding the organization

• Engaging the members and keeping them engaged

• Stabilizing the Board of Directors

• Scheduling time for meetings

• Developing an effective and usable data base of entrepreneurial alumni

Lessons Learned• Pre Planning and Organizing

• Obtaining university commitment very early in the process

• Identify internal champion as soon as possible

• Identify entrepreneurial alumnus who will serve as champion

• Work closely with Alumni Relations Office and Alumni Board

• Establish an effective steering committee

• Create an effective implementation plan that includes engaging entrepreneurial alumni with students

QUESTIONSPanelist:

Derek Richmond, BSME’97

Partner, The Nath Law Group

Alexandria, VA

Donald A. Stevens, BSAr’92

Managing Member

Stucc on Steel Building Systems, LLC

Winchester, VA

Karen Evans, JD, BSHum’03


Director, Undergraduate Management Programs

Thank youFor more information on building an entrepreneurial alumni organization at your university contact:

Donald M. Reimer, CMCDirector, Entrepreneurial Programs

College of Engineering


248-204-2573

[email protected]

lawrence tech - engaging entrepreneurial alumni - open 2011

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