Richard Barnes, Ph.D., owner of Hokey Spokes based in Gary - a unique bicycle safety light system that has been named "one of the most innovative products in the world" at a major trade show in Europe - will be featured at the first "Gary E-Chat" (a talk on the importance of entrepreneurship) at the Gary Campus from 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 16, 2006. The event will be hosted by Chancellor J. Guadalupe Valtierra.

A graduate of the University of Chicago who received his doctorate from South Dakota State University, Dr. Barnes has also taught at Boston College. Dr. Barnes, a former legislator, entrepreneur and innovator was recently featured as one of the panelists at the Regional Innovations Forum last October co-sponsored by Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana.

This is the fifth in a series of "E-Chats" to spur practical skills and innovative thinking in Ivy Tech students and staff. This is sponsored by Ivy Tech's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center. For additional information call Viktoria Voller or John Davies at (219) 981-4942.