Florida State University President Richard McCullough recently announced the transition of the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship into the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, marking a significant milestone in the institute’s history. This move, according to President McCullough, “unites the institute and the college in a way that naturally enhances collaboration,” highlighting the importance of this transition for both entities.
The celebration of this transition took place on Wednesday, Oct. 18, with Jan Moran, chairman and president of The Jim Moran Foundation, signing the gift agreement addendum alongside key figures from Florida State University, including President McCullough, Provost James J. Clark, FSU Foundation President Marla Vickers, Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship Dean Susan Fiorito, and Founding Director of The Jim Moran Foundation and Dean Emeritus of the FSU College of Business Melvin Stith. This momentous occasion solidified the Jim Moran Institute’s move to its new home in the Jim Moran College.
Established in 1995 through a generous contribution from automotive pioneer Jim Moran, Jan Moran, and JM Family Enterprises, the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship has been serving small business owners and nonprofit organizations throughout Florida as part of the Florida State University College of Business. Over the years, further enhancements to the institute and its outreach have been made possible by Jan Moran and The Jim Moran Foundation, culminating in the recent transition to the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship.
Jan Moran expressed her gratitude for the support and guidance received from FSU’s College of Business over the years, stating, “My husband, Jim, always believed ‘the future belongs to those who prepare for it.’ He was very proud of the Jim Moran Institute and the opportunities it created for small business owners who were just like him when he was starting out in the gas station.” With the transition to the Jim Moran College, the institute is well-prepared for the future, carrying on Jim Moran’s legacy of entrepreneurship.
In December 2015, Jan Moran and The Jim Moran Foundation made a historic commitment of $100 million to FSU, the largest gift in the university’s history, to expand the Jim Moran Institute’s operations statewide and establish the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship. Now known as the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, it stands as the nation’s largest interdisciplinary, degree-granting entrepreneurship college, offering a wide range of educational opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Dean Susan Fiorito of the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship expressed her excitement about the new arrangement, stating, “The integration of the college and the institute will enhance the educational opportunities for all involved.” With a dedicated team of entrepreneurship professionals, academic scholars, and staff, the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship aims to cultivate, train, and inspire entrepreneurial leaders through executive education, applied training, public recognition, and leading-edge research.
The Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, on the other hand, is dedicated to teaching individuals who wish to embark on an entrepreneurial journey, attracting students from various disciplines and providing them with the education and skills needed to become successful entrepreneurs. With undergraduate majors, graduate majors, minors, and extracurricular opportunities, the college aims to inspire innovation, instill compassion, and ignite an entrepreneurial mindset in the next generation of leaders.
In conclusion, the transition of the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship into the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship represents a significant step forward in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation at Florida State University. This move not only honors the legacy of Jim Moran but also paves the way for enhanced collaboration and educational opportunities for students and entrepreneurs alike.
