New Center to Focus on Entrepreneurs

The University of La Verne celebrates another major gift from prominent real estate executive and enthusiastic donor Randall Lewis: $2 million to establish the Randall Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Social Impact. The new nonprofit venture will focus on increasing the economic power and impact of university students, alumni, regional businesses, not-for-profits, and community organizations. It will do so by providing entrepreneurial training for several learning cohorts each year, integrating academic and hands-on approaches to job creation and long-term career support.

The new center, with a special emphasis on underserved communities in the region, will be located in the city of Ontario, where the university already has a strong presence through its College of Law. The Lewis Center will complement the city’s own Innovation Center, a state-of-the-art business facility, and enable the university to expand its innovative educational outreach to the surrounding community. Strategic partnerships will be developed at the local, regional, national, and international levels, with a focus on current and future businesses owned and operated by women, minorities, and veterans. The center’s ultimate goal is to become a hub of regional economic development.

In accordance with the wishes of Lewis and a core group of early advisers that includes Quentin Strode of NEW Community Investments, University Advancement is actively seeking additional supporters as well as consulting partners to maximize the reach of the Randall Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Social Impact.

If you would like to join the effort to uplift our local communities through entrepreneurial training and support, please contact:

Sherri G. Mylott
Vice President of University Advancement
909-448-4513