IU's Kelley School of Business renamed its Graduate and Executive Education Center in a ceremony Friday to honor William J. Godfrey, an alumnus and successful businessman who has bequeathed land valued at $25 million to the school. \nGodfrey's gift is the largest single gift from an individual to the Kelley School, and it will be used for the building's needs and to establish a scholarship endowment fund for more than 100 students each year.\nIn a press release from IU Media Relations, Kelley School Dean Dan Smith said Godfrey "embodies all that the school stands for -- helping students to develop their dreams and providing them with the tools and skills needed to make those dreams come true." \nA native of Fish Lake, Ind., Godfrey earned a bachelor's degree in business from IU in 1964 and a master of business administration degree in 1968, while at the same time entering successful business ventures that allowed him to put his brother through IU and pay off the mortgage on his mother's home. Godfrey currently works as president of Trinity Associates Real Estate in Hilton Head, S.C. \n
Entrepreneurial awards recognize\n18 state businesses
\nEighteen Indiana companies and one nonprofit organization were awarded the first Indiana Entrepreneurial Awards of Distinction from IU's Kelley School of Business Thursday. \nMost winners, picked from 175 applicants, were honored in three categories: growth, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. Two Bloomington companies, Electronic Communications Systems Inc. and Options Six Inc., were honored in the entrepreneurial spirit category for their risk-taking and for persevering through lessons learned.\nElectronic Communications Systems Inc. started in 1989 as a one-man radio sales and service business and now provides radio communications, closed-circuit camera systems, outdoor warning systems and automated vehicle location systems to governmental, public safety and business entities. It has grown at a rate of 91 percent from a net profit of $50,000 during its first year to revenues of more than $1.5 million in 2004.\nOption Six Inc. is a full-service developer of custom e-learning solutions and has been selected as the preferred provider of mission-critical courses by several Global 500 companies. Courses developed by Option Six teach solutions for problems that affect critical business functions such as global marketing, product pricing, regulatory compliance, sales performance and product development.
