Quincy University has announced the appointment of Roger Lienaerts as director of entrepreneurship, responsible for running the university’s new Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center, which will provide experiential learning opportunities beyond the classroom walls.
“I am pleased that Roger has agreed to serve as our inaugural Entrepreneurship Director,” said Dr. Sarah Vodreede-Patton, dean and vice president for Academic Affairs. “In this role, he will continue to lecture at the Oakley School of Business and share his wealth of experience and creativity, both in and out of the classroom, with more students in majors across the university.”
Lienaerts earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Bradley University and an MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management. He most recently served as a facilitator for the Adams County CEO Program. His previous roles include Director of Manufacturing for Quincy Compressor and President/Owner of H&B Quality Tooling and Lienaerts Group LLC. Lienaerts is active in the community as a board member for Junior Achievement and the Quincy Rotary Club. He is also active in Toastmasters and Boy Scouts and serves on the advisory boards for JWCC, QHS and QU. Additionally, he serves on the board of directors for the Quincy Business Technology Center.
“We are excited to foster and lead the entrepreneurship activities at Quincy University,” Lienaerts said. “This is a fantastic opportunity for students, faculty, alumni and even the local community to take an idea and turn it into a successful business.”
The center will offer interdisciplinary programs and provide professional development, seminars, events and courses for alumni and the local community. The first priority will be to evaluate and benchmark successful programs and meet with QU stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of available opportunities.
“Roger is the perfect person to lead our entrepreneurship efforts at QU,” said Tony Crane, director of the Quincy Business and Technology Center and former QU trustee. “His extensive business experience will help develop future entrepreneurs and positively impact our region for generations to come.”
Lienaerts will be responsible for developing an entrepreneurship ecosystem on campus, in the local community and beyond, and will play a key role in developing student-led businesses. He will also lead QU’s University Entrepreneurship Organization (CEO) and serve as a resource for faculty and staff.
“Entrepreneurship is necessary for students of all majors, not just those majoring in business administration,” Lienaerts added, “I really enjoy creating and building, and I am looking forward to the entrepreneurship process at QU.”
Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, Quincy University is a small Catholic university with an emphasis on the sciences, liberal arts, and professions. Quincy University offers undergraduate, graduate, and adult education programs that integrate work experience with Franciscan values. Faculty and advisors work with students to develop customized success plans to help them graduate on time, find their passion, and prepare for life. Quincy University is a member of NCAA Division II for intercollegiate sports. For more information, visit www.quincy.edu or contact the Community Relations Office at (217) 228-5275 or communityrelations@quincy.edu. Quincy University. Success comes from planning.
