News From Terre Haute, Indiana

Schools

August 8, 2012

Ivy Tech names director of entrepreneurial center

TERRE HAUTE — Ivy Tech Community College — Wabash Valley has named Ken Eitel Jr., the former owner of Eitel’s Flowers & Gifts in Greencastle, as director of the new Ivy Tech Business & Entrepreneurial Services Center of West Central Indiana located at Ivy Tech-Greencastle.

Eitel assumed his duties Monday. A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place officially opening the center on July 20.

Eitel’s great-grandfather John began the family’s fourth-generation floral business in Greencastle in 1908. Ken worked for 16 years in retail sales, sales management and advertising for Horace Link home furnishings business in Greencastle before he and his wife Jackie bought the family business in 1980. Eitel’s Flowers & Gifts was operated by Ken and Jackie for 31 years before they sold the business in 2011.

Eitel’s rich family history of entrepreneurship is one he is proud to share. In 2009 the Eitel family established an Ivy Tech scholarship honoring Ken’s great-grandfather John Eitel. The scholarship, which is administered by the Putnam County Community Foundation, is given to students at Ivy Tech-Greencastle. Its purpose is to encourage students to pursue careers in business innovation, entrepreneurship and civic leadership and it is named the Eitel Family Scholarship for Entrepreneurship and Civic Leadership.

“The offer for me to launch and develop the BES Center from concept to reality is an exceptional opportunity,” Eitel said. “The commitment of Ivy Tech to entrepreneurship and business services comes at a time when development, support and retention of small business are critical to the future of our communities.”

Ann Valentine, chancellor of Ivy Tech Community College-Wabash Valley, said this about Eitel’s appointment: “We are delighted that Ken was both interested in this position and willing to serve as the inaugural director of our Business & Entrepreneurial Services Center. He brings everything to the table that we were looking for: an entrepreneurial background, community connections and a passion for helping launch and sustain new business leaders.”

Eitel has a long-standing relationship with Ivy Tech Community College. He has taught business classes as an adjunct faculty member at the Greencastle site, served as a volunteer on the Resource Development and Advisory Council and served on the Business and Entrepreneurial Services Center implementation committee.

The Business & Entrepreneurial Services Center of West Central Indiana has as its mission to create a culture of innovation and success by strengthening new and existing businesses and individuals through professional development and educational opportunities.

The center has announced several exciting initiatives, which include educational programming like Ivy Tech’s new “Learn and Earn” workshops offered through Corporate College, a new Speaker Series, and resources matched to entrepreneurial-related services already offered in the community. The BES Center also will provide initial incubator space for business start-ups and provide a progressive benchmarking structure to keep start-ups moving toward self-sufficiency.

Anyone wanting more information can call the BES Center at (765) 653-7410, ext. 5031 or email keitel@ivytech.edu. Additional information is available at www.IvyTech.edu/BES.

Greencastle is offering more than 100 different courses in its fall semester schedule. Fall semester classes begin Aug. 20, and end Dec. 15. Classes will be at the Greencastle Campus, 915 South Zinc Mill Road. Individuals are encouraged to register soon because classes fill early.

Ivy Tech Community College is the state’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system serving nearly 200,000 students annually. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering affordable degree programs and training that are aligned with the needs of its community along with courses and programs that transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Schools
Latest News
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
TribStar.com Poll
AP Video
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge 9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel Today in History May 22 Raw: Costa Rica Volcano Roars to Life Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage Raw: Students Clash With Police in Chile
NDN Video
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage Trout's cycle a boost for Angels Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery Shakira's Shocking Talent Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill DWTS Crowns a Winner Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
  • -

     

    March 12, 2010

activity
Real Estate News