Venture Club Honors ‘Dr. K’
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndiana University professor Donald Kuratko has received the Cy Smith Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award from the Venture Club of Indiana. “Dr. K” serves as executive director of the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. He is a regular contributor to Inside INdiana Business Television through our monthly “The INnovators with Dr. K” segment.
March 19, 2014
News Release
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Donald F. Kuratko, executive director of the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Indiana University's Kelley School of Business, received the Cy Smith Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award from the Venture Club of Indiana.
Kuratko, who also is the Jack M. Gill Distinguished Chair of Entrepreneurship, was honored for his leadership and achievements in the field of entrepreneurship.
The award was created in 1999 to honor Cy Smith, who had died of cancer. For two decades, Smith was a quiet leader of many entrepreneurial support organizations, including the Venture Club of Indiana, and a mentor to many entrepreneurs throughout the Midwest.
An entrepreneur himself, Smith was selfless in his approach and always generous with his time and money to assist emerging entrepreneurs, making Indiana a better place to start and grow a business.
The award is presented annually to a business leader who demonstrates a willingness to contribute time and talent to organizations and initiatives that support entrepreneurship, to someone who minimizes personal recognition in favor of building the strength and character of others and someone who passionately guides and mentors entrepreneurs through the growth and development of their business.
Kuratko was the first academic recipient of this honor. When presenting the award, Venture Club President Ike Willett cited Kuratko's accomplishments in terms of advancing the field of entrepreneurship and mentoring numerous young entrepreneurs over the years. He also noted that Kuratko had served as a board member for three terms and as president of the Venture Club of Indiana in 2002.
“I am truly honored to receive the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award,” Kuratko said. “Cy was a personal friend over the years. I helped to create the award in his honor when I served on the board of the Venture Club back in 1999. I am deeply honored to join the list of previous honorees, as they are accomplished professionals who have made a stronger entrepreneurial environment in the state of Indiana. I am extremely proud of this honor for me and for Indiana University.”
IU Bloomington is the flagship residential, research-intensive campus of Indiana University. Its academic excellence is grounded in the humanities, arts and sciences, and a range of highly ranked professional programs. Founded in 1820, the campus serves more than 42,000 undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in more than 300 disciplines. Widely recognized for its global and international programs, outstanding technology and historic limestone campus, IU Bloomington serves as a global gateway for students and faculty members pursuing issues of worldwide significance.
Source: Indiana University