Clemson trustees approved the creation of a new center that will place Clemson business students in downtown Greenville—The Clemson Renaissance Center.

Downtown Greenville is experiencing a renaissance, according to Bruce Yandle, interim dean of the College of Business and Behavioral Science at Clemson University. Because the college is becoming increasingly involved with the business community across the Upstate, and specifically in downtown Greenville, Yandle sees a natural fit for the center.

The center is the innovative response to business requests for a hand-in-glove type relationship with Clemson business students. It won't add Clemson classrooms to Greenville, but will put top Clemson students in the Greenville business community.

"This is an exciting idea," says Provost Dori Helms. "Primary to economic development is entrepreneurship. This center will take business and entrepreneurial education to the next level."

Yandle says that in phase one the Renaissance Center is expected to open in 2007 with two programs—one providing certificates in entrepreneurship to 15 master's degree students and the other a yearlong mentoring program for up to five would-be entrepreneurs.

"Greenville is emerging as a dynamic knowledge economy," says Yandle. "Great collaborative opportunities exist between Clemson and the Greenville business community."

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