The October 4 opening of The Delaware Entrepreneurial Center at Ohio Wesleyan University has created the first-of-its-kind private university, city, and county collaboration dedicated to business acceleration and education.
But for Ohio Wesleyan student Jack Foley ’22, the opening of 6,000-square-foot entrepreneurial center means something a little more personal. “My first office is going to be here, and I’m excited,” said Foley, who kicked off remarks at the ribbon-cutting and grand opening celebration. “It is a good day to be a Bishop.”
Foley will use the center, including its access to OWU student-interns, to help advance his company ReYuse Cases, which produces and sells cellphone cases made of recycled plastic.
OWU President Rock Jones, Ph.D., also spoke to the crowd gathered at the center, 70 S. Sandusky Ave. Delaware, calling it “a fabulous partnership” among the University, Delaware County, and City of Delaware. He was joined at the celebration by local officials including County Commissioner Jeff Benton and City Manager Tom Homan. They also lauded the opportunities created by the one-of-a-kind entrepreneurial engine as well as the value of such collaborative endeavors to support, maintain, and strengthen the Delaware-area economy.[widgets_on_pages id=1]
OWU alumna and renowned entrepreneur Carol Latham ’61 also shared thoughts at the ribbon-cutting, including her excitement at the visibility and impact the center will have.
“Students, we hope, will learn what and how to take actions on their ideas in order that they will create value in their lives and for society,” said Latham, the retired founder, president, and CEO of Thermagon, Inc., a custom manufacturer of heat-transfer materials that changed the microchip industry and supported the development of today’s powerful, portable computers and other electronics.
Following the ribbon-cutting, guests toured the newly renovated, two-story center, which features rentable office spaces, a shared work area, and a conference center. Those who rent space in the facility will receive assistance from Ohio Wesleyan student interns who are able to help with everything from market research, to business plans, to graphic design, and more.
The Delaware Entrepreneurial Center “feeds right into The OWU connection,” Jones said of Ohio Wesleyan’s signature program that includes providing students with hands-on, real-world experience. “We live in an age of unprecedented creativity.”
Learn more about The Delaware Entrepreneurial Center at Ohio Wesleyan University at www.owu.edu/delaware-entrepreneurial-center.
