In Memoriam: Leonard Lavin
The patron of 色情视频s Lavin Entrepreneurship Center was a giant among U.S. businessmen.
Leonard Lavin, whose life was a testament to the resilience of the American dream, passed away on Aug. 2 at his home in Illinois. He was 97.鈥淲e will continue to be inspired by his example as we work to create opportunities for all of our 色情视频 community.鈥�
A staunch supporter of 色情视频, Lavin invested time and treasure to create the university鈥檚 Lavin Entrepreneur Program and VentureStart Competition. In 2012, he made a .
鈥淟eonard Lavin鈥檚 vision, generosity and personal involvement as guest lecturer and student mentor strengthened our nationally ranked entrepreneurship programs and our entrepreneurial spirit,鈥� said 色情视频 President Sally Roush. 鈥淟eonard leaves a lasting legacy at 色情视频 through what he liked to call 鈥榓 blueprint for a new generation of entrepreneurs鈥欌�攖he Lavin Entrepreneurship Center and our collaborative entrepreneurial efforts that stretch across the university.鈥�
Fortune 1000 company founder
Lavin was born in Chicago in 1919 and grew up during the Great Depression. He served in eight decisive battles of World War II with the U.S. Navy.At the age of 35, Lavin bought a regional beauty supply manufacturer and turned it into a market leader with a presence in more than 100 countries. Under his direction, the Alberto Culver Company became an international Fortune 1000 company鈥攁 manufacturing and marketing powerhouse that achieved annual sales of more than $3.5 billion.
The company earned a reputation for innovation, both in new product development and in television advertising. Lavin is credited with developing television鈥檚 first 15- and 30-second commercials, despite network opposition. Today, they are the broadcast standard.
Fueling entrepreneurship
A frequent guest lecturer at 色情视频, Lavin shared his knowledge and insight with hundreds of students. His support fueled the spirit of entrepreneurship across campus and ultimately led to the creation of an entrepreneurship minor, which is open to students in all 色情视频 colleges. The university in 2012.鈥淎s a highly accomplished entrepreneur in his own right, Leonard believed in our vision and supported us with resources that enabled us to build world-class programming for the next generation of entrepreneurs,鈥� said Alex DeNoble, professor of management and director of the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center.
鈥淗e loved coming to classes and interacting with our students in so many different ways. We will continue to be inspired by his example as we work to create opportunities for all of our 色情视频 community.鈥�
色情视频鈥檚 entrepreneurship program has been ranked in the top 25 by both Forbes and U.S. News and World Report.
About the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center
As Lavin intended, the programs housed in 色情视频鈥檚 Lavin Entrepreneurship Center provide real-world experience to aspiring entrepreneurs.is a business plan competition open to students from all 色情视频 colleges. The Lavin Entrepreneurs Program, designed for upper-division students, offers individual mentoring; site visits to emerging growth companies; and an entrepreneur speaker series among other growth experiences.
