From the December 2011 issue of Our Moment.
Celeste and Norman LaCroix with EBV student
Serena Hayden of Pfugerfille, Texas.A School of Business program that assists disabled military veterans to start entrepreneurial ventures has been supported through a $75,000 gift from an alumni couple inspired by program’s students.
The more that longtime UConn donors Norman ’72 and Celeste ’99 LaCroix learned about the Entrepreneurial Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) program, the more they saw the potential that EBV students could become successful entrepreneurs. The couple was particularly impressed after attending the program’s second graduation ceremony.
“You walk away realizing that this is just a very impressive group of people. You can see that the vets are highly energized, highly motivated and possess the skills needed to be successful entrepreneurs,” Norman LaCroix says.
The University of Connecticut joined the national EBV consortium and conducted its first training program in 2010. The EBV training consists of three stages: an online curriculum; resident training on campus; and mentoring and continued support for more than a year. More than a dozen returning Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans attended UConn's initial classes on the Storrs campus.
LaCroix says the unique and timely nature of the program left an impression and bolstered his desire to support it philanthropically.
“There is a lot in the news today about returning veterans, including the challenges that disabled veterans face in today’s economy,” he says. “What I appreciated seeing is that not only does EBV engage the veterans who have an entrepreneurial spirit, but also creates opportunities for others through the organizations that the vets are building. There isn’t a self-centered focus to it; it’s generating jobs and growth. It’s a perfect example of what we should be encouraging these natural leaders to do.” LaCroix, a senior director at international law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges in New York City, believes that the veterans’ experiences translate well to future success in business.
“Every member of that EBV class overcame obstacles and had experiences that set them apart from the average person starting a business. First, they all volunteered to serve their country in a time of war. Then they became disabled, and had the fortitude and initiative to overcome whatever was put in front of them. That discipline, teamwork and maturity gives them a special leg up in the success of building a business.”
He says that the enthusiasm demonstrated by the vets was both noteworthy and important for their success.
“They were all clearly energized by what they were working on. An entrepreneur has to be, and not only that, but needs to be able to transfer that enthusiasm to others. Success in business is very hard to do all by yourself. The vets are tapping into resources inside themselves that they developed in the military.” He says that the gift is a way to invest in the future of the program and those who pass through it.
“If we can provide a form of support that gives veterans the background and skills to create an entrepreneurial venture, I think they have a real opportunity to succeed in a tough business environment. My hope is that in five years, we can look back and see that the vets built something really special that will be commercially successful and serve as the employment for many others. That success is ultimately the legacy of this program.”
Donors can make an online gift to support EBV at www.friends.uconn.edu/veteransoutreach.
