This newly
established Distinguished Professorship was created and named
in honor of Mary Harris, the sister of Clarence E. Harris who
founded Carriage Industries. Clarence and his wife, Bobbye,
were instrumental in the creation of the entrepreneurship programs
at UTC’s College of Business through the
Harris Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization.
The Harris Foundation
had earlier established the Clarence E. Harris Chair of Excellence
in Business and Entrepreneurship held by Dr. Rich Becherer, one of
only five Chairs of Excellence at the University.
Established in
2002 with a five-year endowment of $500,000, the Mary Harris Distinguished
Professorship will provide support and funding for additional research,
teaching, and community service in the areas of small business management
and entrepreneurship. For example, graduate students in UTC’s
Small Business and Entrepreneurship course (BUSA 581) will develop
customized consulting solutions for local businesses as a part of
their MBA program requirements.
Another supporter
of this Distinguished Professorship is local entrepreneur Brenda
Lawson, CEO of Lawson and Associates. Ms. Lawson donated significant
operating funds to this Professorship in order to “kick start” its
entrepreneurship activities. Her strong belief in the entrepreneurial
spirit of the College of Business led to her generous
contribution.
Dr. Diane Halstead
was named as the inaugural holder of the Mary Harris Distinguished
Professorship in August 2002. |
