Purdue News
Purdue News
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July 20, 2001 Gentry to lead Purdue's new state engagement initiativeWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Don K. Gentry will lead an expanded effort by Purdue University to utilize its expertise and resources to address economic development and other issues affecting the state's prosperity and quality of life.
Provost Sally Frost Mason announced Gentry's appointment today (Friday, 7/20) to the newly retitled position of vice provost for engagement, effective Aug. 1. She said he will work with Indiana's leaders, the business community and citizens to find ways for Purdue to expand opportunities in the state. Gentry will leave his post as dean of the School of Technology, which he has held since 1987. Fred W. Emshousen Jr., associate dean in the School of Technology, has been named acting dean.
Gentry's retitled, full-time position expands on the responsibilities he had already undertaken as special assistant to the president for state economic development. Gentry will report directly to the provost. "This redefined position represents a greater commitment on Purdue's part to be more deeply involved with Indiana and its citizens," Frost Mason said. "Using Purdue's resources to help build the state's economy and improve the lives of Hoosiers has been a top priority for President (Martin C.) Jischke. Don Gentry's long experience in the state and his previous work will enable him to help Purdue increase its engagement with the state's development and advancement." Mason said the vice provost for engagement will be responsible for a wide range of activities that foster Purdue's presence as an economic driving force in the state. Included in those activities are developing and growing statewide partnerships and initiating and managing special projects involving Purdue with communities, companies and the non-profit sector throughout the state. Gentry said he is excited about the possibilities his new job holds for Purdue and the state. "Before, I had almost two full-time jobs," he said. "I'm eager to start focusing full-time on outreach, engagement and including economic development, because it is such a vital function for Purdue. It's not easy to leave as dean of the School of Technology after 14 years, but the expansion of our statewide engagement initiative is very important." As a land-grant university, Gentry said, Purdue has a mission to reach out to Indiana and its citizens, discover problems and opportunities and then use the university's resources to provide programs and services to address those needs. "President Jischke is very interested in expanding our outreach to the state and its communities – really taking the university to the people," he said. "We need to find out how Purdue can make a difference in the economic and social life of the state. We're going to listen, learn and then deliver." Purdue currently is involved in a number of services and programs designed to enhance the state's economic climate and quality of life. Examples include: • The Technical Assistance Program. The state-funded program was started in 1986 to help business, industry and government implement new technologies. According to a TAP report, during the last 14 years the program has resulted in $279 million in increased sales by Indiana businesses, $58 million in new capital investments, $24 million in reduced business costs and 3,800 Indiana jobs created or saved. • Regional Technology Centers. During the last session of the Indiana General Assembly, a Purdue-endorsed initiative to assist with the expansion of the high-tech segment of the state's economy was passed. This legislation includes the creation of several high-tech business incubators throughout Indiana patterned after the university's activities at the Purdue Research Park. State Rep. B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, and Sen. Robert Meeks, R-LaGrange, sponsored the bill. • A collaboration with the Indiana Information Technology Association and other universities within Indiana to counter Indiana's "brain drain," in which college graduates in high-tech fields take jobs outside the state. The first statewide initiative, careersINsite, was funded by a $1.3 million Lilly Endowment Retaining Technology Talent grant. The initiative is designed to raise the level of awareness of technology careers within the state and ultimately to help keep high-tech graduates employed in Indiana. • Purdue's annual "High-tech Job Fair for Indiana Companies." The job fair gives Indiana businesses the opportunity to recruit some of the state's brightest students. It is the only job recruitment event at Purdue that limits companies to hiring specifically for in-state job openings. The job fair, sponsored by Purdue's Technical Assistance Program, attracts an average of 3,000 to 4,000 students. • The Trask Pre-Seed Capital Program, which makes investments in start-up companies based on Purdue technology. The awards are one-time, pre-seed investments of up to $250,000 to Purdue faculty and students who have licensed intellectual property from the university. The investment is given earlier than seed capital and is designed to help add credibility to fledgling companies as they look for additional venture capital investors. Purdue is the only university in the state making this kind of financial commitment to start-up companies. • The Gateways Program, which provides start-up companies in the Purdue Research Park with management assistance, access to financing and exposure to business or technical support services. The program connects start-up businesses with mentors who help identify market prospects, develop prototypes, launch marketing activities and develop financial resources. • Entrepreneur Forums. The monthly forums, hosted by Purdue's Office of Technology Commercialization, offer insight and encouragement to new entrepreneurs and those interested in starting their own high-tech company at the Purdue Research Park. The forums provide networking opportunities, giving those who attend the chance to meet other entrepreneurs and learn from shared experiences. Gentry, an Indiana native, received bachelor's degrees from Purdue in animal science and agriculture education in 1962. He also earned a master's degree from Purdue in 1967 in secondary education and educational administration. Gentry received his doctorate in educational administration from Indiana University in 1979. He was director of Purdue's Statewide Technology Program from 1983-85. Gentry previously served for 13 years as executive director of the state's vocational and technical education program and was a member of a governor's task force to create Indiana's Tech Prep program. Emshousen has been associate dean in the School of Technology since 1987. He previously served as director of Purdue's Statewide Technology Program, which delivers existing curricula to 11 off-campus locations around the state. He received his bachelor's degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the University of Illinois in 1967 and a master's in mechanical engineering from the University of Southern California in 1971. In 1983 Emshousen earned a doctorate in education from the University of Illinois. Mason said she will appoint a committee to assist with a national search for a permanent dean of the School of Technology. Sources: Sally Frost Mason, (765) 494-9709, sfmason@purdue.edu Don K. Gentry, (765) 494-2552, dkgentry@tech.purdue.edu Writer: Brian Zink, (765) 494-2080, bzink@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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