A sign of good things to come

An article last week in the Boston Business Journal titled “Schools boost tech-transfer efforts, and VCs take note” included an apt remark by UMass President Jack Wilson. Emphasizing the importance of championing entrepreneurial activity, he said: "If you’re not doing these things you’re not going to be a great university. And by the way, you’re not going to attract the best faculty and you’re not going to attract the best students.”

Maybe that is why President Wilson beamed when he toured the future home of the UMass Boston Venture Development Center. I know it is how I felt last week when I showed the nearly completed 18,000 SF metal and glass high-tech facility to a candidate for a department chair at UMass Boston. This candidate not only has outstanding scientific credentials, but is a leader in furthering diversity by training underrepresented minority students in science, and has formed a company with a few graduate students that needs a home.

The Venture Development Center is not just a recruitment strategy though. It is a powerful new way for UMass Boston’s faculty, staff and students to express their passion to drive lasting change, either in society or the economy or both, in response to opportunities to create new products and services that dramatically improve people’s lives.

Watch out Boston, we are on the move!