Sparks, Nev. (Sept. 11, 2014) – University of Nevada, Reno alumni Fatih Ozmen ’81 M.S. (electrical engineering) and Eren Ozmen ’85 MBA have pledged $5 million to create a new entrepreneurship center in conjunction with the University’s College of Business. To date, this is the largest gift the College of Business has received.

The Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship, which opens Sept. 15, will permanently support and significantly enhance programs at the University that develop student entrepreneurial capacities and stimulate the creation of new business ventures. This endeavor will serve as an economic development engine for northern Nevada and will garner national recognition for the state.

“Our goal is that the Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship expand and nurture an entrepreneurial culture and provide resources for the same both on campus and throughout the community,” said Eren Ozmen, president and CFO ofSierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) and the 2013 College of Business alumnus of the year. “We see the center providing an entrepreneurial ‘hub’ that increases business opportunities and creates a robust exchange of ideas that stimulates job growth and benefits our society.”

The Ozmen Center, located on the fourth floor of the Ansari Business Building, will also augment the educational offerings from other colleges and schools on campus by coordinating with them on new programs that require entrepreneurial training in areas such as science, engineering and journalism. University faculty member Chris Howard is the director for the Ozmen Center, which can be found online at http://ozmencenter.unr.edu/.

The University expects to see a striking increase in entrepreneurial pursuits generated on campus as a result of the Ozmen Center. The College of Business now offers six entrepreneurship classes as part of its undergraduate program and two classes as part of the MBA program. The college also hosts the annual Sontag Entrepreneurship Competition, which awards $50,000 to the team with the most innovative idea.

“As an institution, the University of Nevada, Reno embraces entrepreneurship, technology transfer and commercialization,” said University President Marc Johnson. “Through the new Ozmen Center, we will continue to leverage the knowledge, resources and talent of the University for the advancement of business in Nevada.”

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval ’86 said the Ozmen Center will greatly complement the Silver State’s plan for economic development. “The Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship will provide the energy, resources and yet another connection point for new business ventures and jobs in our state,” Sandoval said. “Today’s announcement adds to the critical infrastructure which supports economic diversification and serves as a catalyst for innovation for Nevada’s industries. The center is also a superb example of how private industry can cohesively work with higher education to successfully promote entrepreneurial activity.”

The Ozmens joined SNC shortly after receiving their master’s degrees from Nevada. The couple then acquired the company in 1994, eventually expanding SNC into six business areas in 31 locations in 17 states, with a workforce of more than 3,000 personnel.

SNC has been an avid supporter of the University. It was one of the initiating members of the Corporate Partners Programs for the College of Business and College of Engineering, including sponsoring an annual engineering scholarship. The company has a long history of offering paid business and engineering internships. SNC also provides three separate rotational career professional development programs that target University students in the areas of business, information technology and program management, as well as sponsoring various other student programs. SNC also provided a major gift to the Summer Study Tour to Turkey program through the College of Liberal Arts.

Headquartered in Sparks, Nev., SNC has received numerous awards for innovation, growth and employee satisfaction, including World’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Space by Fast Company magazine, ranking among the U.S. Top 10 Fastest-growing Companies by Inc. magazine for revenue growth for billion dollar companies and one of the Greater Reno-Tahoe Best Places to Work in 2009, 2011 and 2012.

“We are extremely proud and fortunate to count the Ozmens among the University’s distinguished alumni,” said Greg Mosier, dean of the College of Business. “It has been an inspiration to follow their success story and watch them return to campus countless times to generously pay it forward.”

Photo Cutlines: Eren ’85 MBA  and Fatih Ozmen ’81 M.S. (top), owners of Sierra Nevada Corporation, pledged $5 million to create the University of Nevada, Reno Ozmen Center for Entrepreneurship (bottom).

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About the University of Nevada, Reno
Founded in 1874 as Nevada’s land-grant university, the University of Nevada, Reno ranks in the top tier of best national universities. With nearly 20,000 students, the University is driven to contribute a culture of student success, world-improving research and outreach that enhances communities and business. Part of the Nevada System of Higher Education, the University has the system’s largest research program and is home to the state’s medical school. Bringing outreach and education programs to all Nevada counties and home to one of the largest study-abroad consortiums, the University extends across the state and around the world. For more information, visit www.unr.edu. 

About Sierra Nevada Corporation
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), headquartered in Sparks, Nevada, is one of America’s fastest growing private companies based on its significant expansion and reputation for rapid, innovative, and agile technology solutions in electronics, aerospace, avionics, space, propulsion, micro-satellite, aircraft, communications systems and solar energy. Under the leadership of CEO Fatih Ozmen and President Eren Ozmen, SNC has a workforce of over 3,000 personnel in 31 locations in 17 states. SNC’s six unique business areas are dedicated to providing leading-edge solutions to SNC’s dynamic customer base.

SNC is also the Top Woman-Owned Federal Contractor in the United States. Over the last 30 years under the Ozmen’s leadership, SNC has remained focused on providing its customers the very best in diversified technologies to meet their needs and has a strong and proven track record of success. The company continues to focus its growth also on the commercial sector through internal advancements in dual-use applications and outside acquisitions, including the emerging markets of renewable energy, telemedicine, nanotechnology, cyber and net-centric operations. For more information on SNC visit www.sncorp.com and follow us at Facebook/Sierra Nevada Corporation.

Media Contact: CommunicationsFromSNC@sncorp.com  or Michelle Erlach at 775-849-6027.