The Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at California State University, Fresno has two reasons to celebrate on Friday, May 11. It’s the first anniversary of the center’s move to its on-campus location and its director, Dr. Timothy M. Stearns, has received a statewide award for his work.

An open house celebration will be held from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the center, which is in the Student Recreation Building on the northeast corner of Shaw and Woodrow avenues.

A program starting at 2 p.m. will feature remarks by Fresno State President John D. Welty, Stearns and William M. Lyles, president and CEO of Lyles Diversified, the Fresno construction and real estate company that provided funds to establish the center in 2001.

The Lyles Center, one of the leading entrepreneurial centers in California, moved from an off-campus location in April 2006. It assists both students and community members in pursuit of their entrepreneurial goals.

Last month, Stearns was named one of five 2007 recipients of the prestigious California State University Wang Family Excellence Award.

A professor of management in the Craig School of Business, Stearns designed, implemented and continues to manage the curriculum for the university’s entrepreneurship programs. He launched the Lyles Center and is a community leader in the Collaborative Regional Initiative.

The Wang award was established in fall 1998 by then-CSU Trustee Stanley T. Wang to “celebrate those CSU faculty and administrators who through extraordinary commitment and dedication have distinguished themselves by exemplary contributions and achievements in their academic disciplines and areas of assignment.” Recipients each receive a $20,000 award.

The Lyles Center delivers assistance through applied learning, professional consulting and managed problem solving. The Lyles Center helps entrepreneurs develop successful companies through integral professional consulting services and programs.

As a recognized leader in entrepreneurship education, the Lyles Center uses its strategic position to leverage resources from the entire university to assist innovators and entrepreneurs develop businesses. The center acts as a bridge linking resources of campus and community to achieve success in the marketplace.

For more information contained in this release, please go to the following Web site(s):

Lyles Center

Wang Award