Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation donates $3.6 M to SUU’s entrepreneurship program

The Larry H. and Gail Miller Center for Entrepreneurship at Southern Utah University raised $2 million as part of a matching campaign with the Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation, who made a matching gift of $2.1 million to the program, March 23, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Southern Utah University, St. George News

CEDAR CITY  — The Larry H. and Gail Miller Center for Entrepreneurship at Southern Utah University raised $2 million as part of a matching campaign in partnership with the Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation, who made a matching gift of $2.1 million to the program.

According to a news release from SUU, the recent contributions are part of a longstanding commitment by the Miller Foundation to the University’s Entrepreneurship Center that began with a $1.5 million gift to build a meeting space for entrepreneurs.  In total, the Larry H. and Gail Miller Foundation has contributed $3.6 million to entrepreneurship at SUU.

“We are very thankful to the Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation for this generous gift to SUU’s entrepreneurship program,” said Dr. Mary Pearson, dean of the Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business, in a news release. “Their contribution is part of what has been an amazing fundraising campaign that saw more than 70 individuals and organizations raise an additional $2 million for our program. Their efforts will be impactful for SUU students who dream of creating and building their own businesses.”

Contributors to the fundraising campaign were primarily individuals and grants. Less than 10 percent of donations came from philanthropies and corporations, which typically drive contributions to similar campaigns. The campaign was led by Jon Black, past chair of SUU’s Entrepreneur Leadership Council. The ELC members were exceptionally supportive of the campaign by establishing new scholarships and awards for student entrepreneurs.

“This fundraising effort has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” said Jon Black, a Utah entrepreneur and member of SUU’s ELC. “There are so many good people out there who were willing to give of their time and resources to make a difference in the lives of our young entrepreneurs at SUU. This campaign will impact generations to come, and I am so grateful to the Miller Family, Tyler Stillman, the Director of Entrepreneurship at SUU, and so many others who were willing to give in such a meaningful way.”

Noteworthy supporters include:

  • State Bank of Southern Utah, establishing the State Bank Business Challenge, a yearly pitch competition that supports student and community entrepreneurship
  • The promotional products company Namify became sponsors for SUU’s Entrepreneurship Speaker Series;
  • The Kahlert Foundation provided scholarship support for students in STEM majors and funds for early-stage startups.
File photo of the Larry H. and Gail Miller Center for Entrepreneurship at Southern Utah University, March 23, 2022 | Photo courtesy of Southern Utah University, St. George News

The friends and family of the late Larry B. Stillman established what is only the second named position at SUU, the Larry B. Stillman Director of Entrepreneurship. Twenty SUU students also contributed funds to the campaign.

The Larry H. and Gail Miller Entrepreneurship Program at Southern Utah University was established in 2018 to give SUU students real-world business experience. By starting their own business, students gain valuable insights into business, the economy, and their own strengths and weaknesses. The Larry H. and Gail Miller Entrepreneurship Program has made a significant impact on students learning valuable business skills.

Students have enrolled in entrepreneurship classes 1058 times since the start of the program.

The program has held 10 pitch events resulting in:

  • 255 entries
  • $124,000 in seed funding
  • The program has supported, or helped to launch, nearly 100 student-led businesses
  • 16 student entrepreneurs receive scholarships annually
  • 225 students have read Larry H. Miller’s Driven: An Autobiography
  • The program now offers a minor in entrepreneurship

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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