Clemson's MBA Program is participating in the 20th annual Duke MBA Games, along with MBA teams from the University of Chicago, Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Duke University, the University of Michigan and Vanderbilt University.

Interim director of the full-time Clemson MBA program Jani Spede, who will travel with the students to the event, said, "I am thrilled that our MBA candidates are participating in this rewarding event--it will give our candidates a better understanding of social stewardship, which is maturing in corporations. At the same time, it will provide everyone involved the opportunity to further develop team and interpersonal skills while directly impacting the lives of Special Olympians."

Building on the leadership and teamwork skills developed in the classroom, MBA candidates will team up with several Special Olympians to compete in the events. The weekend's events will also include networking and socializing events in the Durham area.

Chris Bauer, president of the Clemson MBA Student Association, said, "As we continue to build the reputation of the program, it is important for Clemson MBA's to show our support for worthy causes. Participating in events similar to the Duke MBA Games not only begins to establish the kinds of positive associations found among highly-ranked programs, but these opportunities also give our MBA's a chance to network with other future leaders of the business community."

The Clemson MBA Student Association is organizing Clemson's participation in the event, and the group is also investigating local social awareness activities for next year.

The Duke MBA Games have raised more than $1.6 million since its inception in 1988. Special Olympics North Carolina is a volunteer-driven organization that involves more than 38,000 athletes in competition through 20 sports and supports children and adults with disabilities.

To sponsor the Clemson MBA program in the event, visit: http://www.firstgiving.com/mbagames-clemson.

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About the Clemson MBA
As the largest graduate program in Clemson University's College of Business and Behavioral Science, the Clemson MBA program ranks in the top 20 percent of AACSB International-accredited programs nationwide, according to U.S. News & World Report. The innovative MBA program prepares business professionals for senior-level management positions in the global marketplace. Whether enrolled in the full-time, on-campus program (typically completed in 18-24 months) or the flexible, part-time working-professionals program (offered in the evenings in Greenville), Clemson MBA professionals gain an analytical, theoretical, strategic and real-world perspective on leading businesses. Classes are taught in-person, creating an engaging environment in which to learn among a diverse, team-like class culture.

Uniquely, about 50 percent of MBA candidates in the full-time program are awarded graduate assistantships, many of which include the opportunity to serve as business opportunity analysts who work on an array of projects for inventors, entrepreneurs and established businesses.

Numerous dual-degree options also are available, as are study abroad programs in Belgium, China and Italy.

For more information about the Clemson MBA, visit www.clemson.edu/mba or e-mail MBACareers@clemson.edu.

Epstein's visit is part of the John William Pope Lecture Series through the Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism in the College of Business and Behavioral Science.

Epstein is the James Parker Hall Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago Law School and is director of the university's law and economics program. He is the author of more than a dozen books, including "Takings," "Principles for a Free Society: Reconciling Individual Liberty with the Common Good" and "Overdose: How Excessive Government Regulation Stifles Pharmaceutical Innovation." He has published hundreds of articles on antitrust law, property rights, intellectual property, medical ethics, eminent domain, tort law, contracts, legal theory and constitutional history.

The Clemson Institute for the Study of Capitalism was founded in 2006 with a grant from the BB&T Charitable Foundation. The institute explores the moral, legal, constitutional, political and economic foundations of capitalism with a particular interest in fostering a serious examination of a free society.

For more information about the MBA program, visit www.grad.clemson.edu/programs/MBA.

For more information about a degree in economics, visit www.grad.clemson.edu/programs/Econ.

For more information about a degree in marketing, visit www.grad.clemson.edu/programs/Marketing.

Caron St. John, associate dean of the College of Business and Behavioral Science at Clemson University, has received the Dr. Charles Townes Individual Achievement Award for outstanding leadership, innovation and technological excellence in the Upstate community.

St. John is the founder and director of the Spiro Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership at Clemson and director of the MBA program.

The Dr. Charles Townes Individual Achievement Award honors an individual who exhibits a commitment to the advancement of technology and the Upstate community through technology-oriented contributions. Such contributions may be business, civic and/or educational in nature and must benefit the Upstate.

InnoVision is the premier awards program focused exclusively on celebrating achievements in innovation and technological excellence in the South Carolina Upstate region. The following 10 counties are in the South Carolina Upstate region: Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg and Union.

For more information about Clemson's graduate programs in the College of Business and Behavioral Science, visit http://business.clemson.edu/.

Rob has successfully balanced being a full-time MBA student with ROTC commitments, a family and a position as a project leader in Clemson's Spiro Institute of Entrepreneurial Leadership.

In this unique leadership position, Rob directly manages a team of first- and second-year MBA students hired to analyze a wide array of business opportunities for Spiro Institute clients (ranging from emerging to established businesses). Gaining highly valuable experience managing people and projects -- for real companies -- Rob leads his teams to assess business situations, determine potential outcomes and solutions and develop recommendations for company clients.

Rob said, "The Spiro leadership experience definitely played a role in receiving the award, and it - along with the experience and education that the Army has provided - will have a great impact on my career. I'm delighted to receive the award."

Rob will receive a medal and a $250 cash award as part of the honor.

For more information about Clemson University's MBA program, please call (864) 656-3975, send e-mail to mba@clemson.edu or visit http://www.business.clemson.edu/mba.

In this position, Lauren directly manages a team of first- and second-year MBA students hired to analyze a wide array of business opportunities for Spiro Institute clients (ranging from emerging to established businesses). Gaining highly valuable experience managing teams and projects -- for real companies -- Lauren lead her team to assess business situations, become highly knowledgeable in industries the team previously may have known very little about and then develop innovative recommendations for company clients. Lauren interacted with company executives throughout the projects and she and her team made presentations of the teams final directly to company client executives.

For one project, Lauren directed a team that analyzed the market potential for novel, carbon-based quantum dots. Nano-sized quantum dots emit light when they are exposed to an external light source and they are used in a variety of applications ranging from biosensors to LED's.

Lauren said, "Carbon-based quantum dots have one primary advantage over traditional quantum dots made of cadmium and selenium: they are believed to be less toxic and they are bio-inert. This makes these carbon dots more applicable for use within the human body."

An undergraduate degree in microbiology, also from Clemson University, made Lauren the perfect leader for this project. Her team helped define market opportunities where carbon-based quantum dots would offer a competitive advantage (i.e., biosensors, molecular imaging and in-vitro diagnostics) and helped determine the appropriate pricing models.

"It has been very exciting to take part in the development of a new company in a highly technical market like nanotechnology. Clemson University has allowed me to not only earn an MBA, but it has also provided me with a unique opportunity to refine my project management and team leadership skills - while providing value to real companies."

For more information about Clemson University's MBA program, please call (864) 656-3975, send e-mail to mba@clemson.edu or visit http://www.business.clemson.edu/mba.

Clemson President James F. Barker kicked off the center's official opening and launched its first event, the second annual Celebration of Clemson Alumni Entrepreneurs.

Festivities began at 5:30 p.m. in the Gunter Auditorium at the Peace Center for the Performing Arts in Greenville. Barker opened the program with remarks about Clemson's top-20 vision, the university's relationship to the Upstate community and the role of the Renaissance Center. Then, Richard Reese, chairman and CEO of Iron Mountain and Clemson alumnus, spoke about his success in growing Iron Mountain from $3 million to more than $2 billion in revenues.

A reception on the Gunter Theatre stage followed the program and a tour of the Clemson Renaissance Center, which occupies the sixth floor of the historic Liberty Building on Main Street, was available for event attendees. The program and reception were free and open to the public.

The Clemson Renaissance Center houses the University's program for entrepreneurial, experience-based graduate education and serves as a portal between Clemson's College of Business and Behavioral Science and the Greenville business community. The center enables graduate students and faculty to work directly with area firms, entrepreneurs and leaders in innovative ways that both enrich and accelerate the learning experience.

"The Clemson Renaissance Center brings entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership education activities to Greenville, which can benefit the Greenville business community and Clemson University students," said David Grigsby, interim dean of
the College of Business and Behavioral Science. "This is the start of big things to come for the college and the beginning of a greater presence in downtown Greenville."

The Clemson Renaissance Center houses offices for the Spiro Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership, the Center for International Trade and the Small Business Development Center. It also links experience-based MBA and other business graduate education programs with area entrepreneurs to create a hub of intellectual activities. The center offers students and the Greenville community a variety of programs and events, including executive education programs, new business development services, student projects for area companies, seminars, forums, a lecture series and a published journal that will celebrate the history of Southern entrepreneurs.

"We feel that our presence downtown will enable us to better serve all sections of Greenville County, as well as position us right in the heart of small business growth and development," said Jill Burroughs, SBDC director. "We also look forward to the student availability and what they can add to the counseling and research mix."

"It is fitting that the inaugural event for the Clemson Renaissance Center was our annual Celebration of Clemson Alumni Entrepreneurs," said Caron St. John, director of the Spiro Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership. "Jim Barker and Richard Reese are both Clemson alumni who embody the entrepreneurial and innovative leadership ability we hope to cultivate at the Renaissance Center."

About Richard Reese and Iron Mountain
Richard Reese joined Iron Mountain as president in 1981 when the company was privately held and posted $3 million in annual revenue. Under his leadership, the company has grown to more than $2.1 billion in annualized revenue and has become the leader in records management and information protection. Prior to joining Iron Mountain, Reese lectured on entrepreneurship at Harvard Business School and provided consulting services to small- and medium-sized emerging companies. He is a former president and director of PRISM International, a trade association of records management companies. Reese holds bachelor's and master's degrees in ceramic engineering from Clemson and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

About the Renaissance Center at the Historic Liberty Building
The Liberty Building is owned by Mark Kent, a real estate developer and chairman and CEO of Kent Manufacturing, who teamed up with private investor Hayne Hipp, former CEO and chairman of Greenville's Liberty Corp., to provide the space at no cost for two years to the Clemson Renaissance Center.

"We are delighted to have such excellent facilities. The Renaissance Center directly supports Clemson University's goal to become a top-20 public university by transforming the way we teach and learn, while energizing and strengthening the Greenville community with the launch of high-impact, wealth-creating enterprises," said Grigsby. Information on the Clemson Renaissance Center can be found at http://business.clemson.edu/renaissance.htm or by calling (864) 656-3177.