Columbia College wins $5 million gift to promote entrepreneurs
Columbia College students returning for the fall semester will see the beginnings of a new entrepreneurship program thanks to a $5 million commitment by the owner of the Houston Texans whose wife is a graduate of the college.
College officials on Thursday announced the gift from Bob and Janice McNair that will pay the creation the McNair Center for Entrepreneurism and hiring of a director. Funding over a five-year period will establish customized coursework for students and include apprenticeships and mentoring networks among other features.
This generous gift will inspire a new generation of innovative young leaders at Columbia College
Columbia College president Beth Dinndorf
The program will be run through the college’s Institute of Leadership and Professional Excellence and eventually will provide money for selected business ideas from students and alumni, college spokeswoman Tracy Bender said.
Columbia College is one of eight institutions across the nation to receive funding from the McNair Foundation to invest in entreprenuerism, college officials said.
Janice McNair graduated from Columbia College in 1959.