Erickson Foundation establishes endowed chair at West Virginia University at Parkersburg
West Virginia University at Parkersburg President Chris Gilmer, left, and recently named Interim WVU-P President Torie Jackson at a press conference announcing the establishment of the C.O. and Charles F. Erickson Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurship at WVU-P. This is the first such position at the college. (Photo Provided)
Laurie Erickson, left, of the Erickson Foundation at a recent press conference announcing the establishment of the C.O. and Charles F. Erickson Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurship at West Virginia University at Parkersburg. She is talking to WVU-P President Chris Gilmer, center, and Steve Hardman, chairman of the WVU-P Board of Governors. (Photo Provided)
West Virginia University at Parkersburg President Chris Gilmer, left, and recently named Interim WVU-P President Torie Jackson at a press conference announcing the establishment of the C.O. and Charles F. Erickson Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurship at WVU-P. This is the first such position at the college. (Photo Provided)
Laurie Erickson, left, of the Erickson Foundation at a recent press conference announcing the establishment of the C.O. and Charles F. Erickson Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurship at West Virginia University at Parkersburg. She is talking to WVU-P President Chris Gilmer, center, and Steve Hardman, chairman of the WVU-P Board of Governors. (Photo Provided)
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PARKERSBURG -- West Virginia University at Parkersburg announced the establishment of the C.O. and Charles F. Erickson Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurship.
"In the 60-year history of West Virginia University at Parkersburg there has not been a more significant investment in the faculty body than the Erickson Foundation is making here," WVU-P President Chris Gilmer said. "We are a very proud community college and we expect to always be one. We want to be respected as a growing regional university."
Torie Jackson, who will interim WVU-P president after Gilmer leaves, said students have the opportunity to learn in a number of different disciplines and fields with some realizing they may eventually want to start their own business or work in a variety of fields "with an entrepreneur mindset."
"That is what we are really excited about teaching our students," she said. "This chair will have the opportunity to do that."
This is WVU-P's first endowed faculty chair.
"This will allow a faculty member to assist students in activities that will inspire them to think like entrepreneurs, to focus on their ability to be entrepreneurs and actually become entrepreneurs," said Kathy Eddy of the Erickson Foundation.
Laurie Erickson, wife of Charles, described her husband and his father as "pioneers in cable television" and their early interactions with a young Ted Turner.
"You never know where a great idea is going to come from," she said.
Rose Bibbee, faculty member of the university Board of Governors, said the faculty is excited about the prospects of bringing faculty and students together in exploring new ideas and strengthening the ties of the university to the community.
"It will be assisting our students in becoming innovators by converting their ideas into possible business opportunities that can fulfill a service or need in the Mid-Ohio Valley," she said.
The announcement was made at iTech in Parkersburg.
Chad Crumbaker, provost/vice president Academic and Student Affairs, said many of the jobs of today will probably not exist in the future.
"(Emerging jobs and fields) will be discovered by people out in the field and going to work as entrepreneurs and exploring new opportunities," he said. "It is constantly identifying those new opportunities that exist."
The university will publish eligibility criteria and name a selection committee to have the first faculty chair in place to begin the fall semester. Current faculty members from any discipline may apply.
Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com