EMU Today

YPSILANTI --  The latest episode of EMU Today TV gives viewers an inside look at a new $1 million gift to the Eastern Michigan University College of Business, and outlines the University’s new Executive Certificate in Entrepreneurship and its $25,000 venture challenge for new startup businesses. 

The first segment of the new episode features College of Business Dean Ken Lord, who discusses the recent $1 million gift made by alumnus Steve Klotz, President and CEO of the Huizenga Group in Grand Rapids. The gift, one of the largest ever to the College of Business, will be used to establish the Stephen J. Klotz Financial Learning Center.

Klotz graduated from EMU in 1977 with a BBA in Accounting. He began his career with Touche Ross and then joined the Huizenga Group in Grand Rapids, where he was ultimately appointed President and CEO.

The second segment focuses on a new program, developed by the Center for Entrepreneurship at Eastern Michigan University, to help aspiring entrepreneurs jumpstart their ideas. The Executive Certificate in Entrepreneurship is a unique eight-week in-person and online hybrid program that offers business instruction, professional coaching, mentorship, networking and the chance for participants to pitch their startup ideas for one or two awards sharing a $25,000 business expense fund.

Sanjib Chowdhury, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and professor in entrepreneurship, discusses the new program and the University’s supportive efforts for entrepreneurs. 

Now in its fifth season, EMU Today TV, produced by the University’s Division of Communications, highlights positive programs, events and initiatives at Eastern.

Mark S. Lee, host of CBS Radio’s Small Talk with Mark S. Lee, is the host of EMU Today TV. Lee is an Eastern Michigan University alumnus, and part-time lecturer of Marketing at Eastern. He is an entrepreneur, Crain's Detroit blogger and frequent contributor to various Detroit-area media outlets on business topics.

In addition to viewing on the University's YouTube channel, the program airs on the following days/times through the month on Xfinity On Demand:

• Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.
• Fridays at 11 a.m.
• Saturdays at 11 a.m.
• Sundays at 8 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Xfinity customers can access the program by the following: Using their remote press Xfinity>On Demand>XFINITY Services>Get Local. 

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 16,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.