As the world continues to realize the enormous impact entrepreneurs have on our society, the Entrepreneurial Management Center at San Diego State University continues to "fuel"? the sprit of entrepreneurship across the entire campus. One of our programs, The Lavin VentureStart Program provides two important opportunities for students at SDSU who are aspiring entrepreneurs:

• Lavin Entrepreneur: a exciting academic year program for undergraduate seniors open to students from all seven colleges at San Diego State University. Click here to learn more
• VentureStart Competition: a SDSU campus only business ideation and plan competition open to all students from all colleges at San Diego State University. Click here to learn more

A very generous gift from Leonard Lavin supports The Lavin VentureStart programs in our Entrepreneurial Management Center giving "real world" experience to budding entrepreneurs. Leonard H. Lavin, the founder of Alberto Culver, has been Chairman Emeritus of Alberto Culver since October 2004. He has served as a director since 1955 and Chairman of the Company from 1955 to October 2004.

Leonard Lavin epitomizes the American Dream. In his book Winners Make It Happen: Reflections of a Self-Made Man by Leonard H. Lavin, and Daniel Paisner, Lavin reveals how his instinct-driven vision led him to build the Alberto Culver Corporation from a tiny beauty supply company into a revered Fortune 500 business.