The Vision Statement "The Gerald I. Lamkin Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center is to become the gateway for creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs to encourage lifelong learning, lifelong innovation, and lifelong leadership."

The Mission Statement "The Gerald I. Lamkin Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center encourages, inspires and motivates students and the community to dream about the possibilities and invest in learning, knowledge, and skills to improve their lives, families and region."

GREAT THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT “The Lamkin Center”

The Gerald I. Lamkin Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center, commonly referred to as "The Lamkin Center," is celebrating its fourth year. Last year was a year of changes. Our new look included an updated logo. The light bulb within the logo is now an eco-light. The Innovators Café Newsletter is well received and is widely circulated in Northwest Indiana reaching hundreds of innovators, entrepreneurs and creative individuals. We embrace 2008 as a year of opportunities.

We are now positioned to take the Lamkin Center to another level with such events as follows:

• What's Your Idea? (WYI?)
  The 2007-08 “What's Your Idea? Campaign" is successfully coming to a close. Change is great and necessary for continuous improvement. Submit your ideas by clicking on the WYI? link.
• The Society of Innovators
  The Society of Innovators is an initiative to celebrate and promote innovation and innovators in Northwest Indiana sponsored by us and various partners.
• The Innovator's Café
  This event is a workplace initiative to educate regional executive leaders about innovative best practices.
• The Innovator's Showcase
  The Innovator's Showcase is a local initiative to celebrate the unsung innovators sponsored by us, the Society of Innovators, the local Ivy Tech Campus and Chamber of Commerce.
• The I and E Chats (Innovation and Entrepreneurship Chats)
  The "I and E Chats" are a series of gatherings in which innovators and entrepreneurs share their real-life experiences with students in the classroom about risk and reward in the marketplace.
• Imagine If...
  Imagine if you could be whatever your imagination allows you to conceive. This program in partnership with local schools, agencies, and businesses allows students an opportunity to explore firsthand and take an active role in the work of various occupations and careers.
  

• The Electrical Vehicle (EV) Project
  Scheduled to launch this year is a 2000 Ford Ranger that is being converted into an electrical vehicle by East Chicago Central Students at Ivy Tech’s East Chicago campus. Going green!
• The Pursuit of a Masterful Teacher
  We are especially proud of a new certification called the Pursuit of a Masterful Teacher. A Masterful Teacher is an instructor, whether full-time or part-time, who engages in lifelong learning, lifelong innovation and lifelong leadership. The certification represents a commitment to excellence.

We are creating, throughout Northwest Indiana, an inviting atmosphere that embraces innovation, ideas and creativity. The Lamkin Center will emphasize lifelong learning, lifelong innovation and lifelong leadership. We will forge partnerships throughout the college and community with activities to create a platform for the “Next Generation” of leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs.

John Davies is the Center's consultant and the Managing Director of the Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana. With the support of Forrest "Bill" Thon, executive director of WED, Lynette Fulton-Driver and other WED support staff and team members, we will continue to be the welcoming place where dreams take flight.

Here is "where people begin to think differently." Anyone can be an innovator... What's your idea?

O'Merrial Butchee, Director
Gerald I. Lamkin Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center