Message from the Director

Professor of Law Eric Gouvin, Director

message_gouvinjpgSpringfield has a long history of entrepreneurship: Milton Bradley and his toy company. Smith and Wesson and their side arms. Curtis and Prestley Blake and their Friendly ice cream. This city has always been fertile ground for new businesses. That tradition continues to this day and we’re here to help it along.

The Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship is the culmination of the vision I had in 2002 when I founded the Small Business Clinic. The Clinic brings the resources of the University to the community to foster economic development. Specifically, law and business students under faculty supervision provide legal assistance and busienss consulting to entrepreneurs who otherwise cannot afford those services.

Professor Robert Statchen has served as supervisor of the Small Business Clinic since 2006. He has done an outstanding job in guiding our students as they work with clients in need of real world business solutions.

The Center continues the University’s community outreach by hosting educational events throughout the year, including conferences featuring top academics, a speaker series, information sessions, and the EXTREME Business Makeover.

Making the Center truly interdisciplinary has been a goal since the beginning of the project. To that end, the Center has faculty representatives in every College and School in the University and we work to provide programming that will inspire and educate our students, faculty and memebers of the community.

I am very proud of all we have accomplished since 2002 and excited to see where we will go in the future. I hope to see you soon at the Center or at one of our many events.

Best wishes,

Eric Gouvin