Wilkes University recently celebrated the official opening of the Cohen Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI) with a ribbon cutting and dedication at the Simms Center on Main.
Made possible by a $1.5 million gift from the Cohen Family and the Benco Family Foundation, CCEI was designed to support student entrepreneurs through mentorship, collaboration and networking. With spaces in the Simms Center on Main and the Stark Learning Center, CCEI’s physical presence crosses campus — and academic disciplines — offers a launchpad for ideas regardless of a student’s major.
Abel Adekola, dean of the College of Business and Engineering, welcomed members of the Cohen family and representatives from Benco Dental, as well as guests from campus and the business community. Adekola also noted that the event served as the public introduction of Terry Chase, CCEI’s founding executive director, whom he lauded as a lifelong practicing entrepreneur and visionary leader.
Adekola explained that CCEI will enhance not only the student experience, but the local business landscape.
“The Cohen Center will undoubtedly transform the way our students learn and engage in intellectual inquiry in what I call a minds-on and hands-on approach to education,” said Adekola. “It is not only our students who will be transformed, but also the city of Wilkes-Barre, as we enrich the work force through this great generosity of the Cohen family, so stay tuned for the wonders that will emanate from the Cohen Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.”
Greg Cant, president of Wilkes University, thanked the Cohen family for their generosity, and shared his excitement about the CCEI’s successes yet to come.
“Going forward, there will be so many things that come out of this that we can’t imagine yet because that’s what entrepreneurs do. They will surprise us. This world will be better because of the innovation of our students in collaboration with our community,” said Cant. “This idea will help transform the University that I know you all love.”
Chuck Cohen, managing director of Benco Dental and member of the Wilkes University Board of Trustees, told the story of his family’s legacy of entrepreneurship that began with his grandfather selling dental supplies door-to-door a century ago before founding Benco Dental. Larry Cohen, “the very vision of entrepreneurship,” joined the business in 1959 and discovered ways to compete with similar businesses in bigger cities. Chuck Cohen noted that he and his brother, Rick Cohen, have been part of the family legacy at Benco Dental for the past 30 years or so.
Along with this rich history, Chuck Cohen noted the collegiate entrepreneurial support that allowed his son Benjamin Cohen to launch successful software company proton.ai as the driving forces for the family’s financial support of the creative and innovative space at Wilkes. With the establishment of the Cohen Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the family will inspire the future of Wilkes students and the surrounding area. “Entrepreneurship is what we do. We’re here today to cut the ribbon on a place where students can come at no charge to fuel not only Wilkes, but greater northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Cohen. “This is going to be the place where tomorrow’s businesses for northeastern Pennsylvania are born. All the students who walk through these doors, they are going to create tomorrow’s businesses today.”