From BGSU OFFICE OF MARKETING & BRAND STRATEGY
The Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership in the Bowling Green State University Schmidthorst College of Business has named Courtney deVaudreuil ’17 as its new director.
An experienced entrepreneur, deVaudreuil joins the center after leading teams in the commercial and private business sectors and successfully launching three businesses, including the award-winning and nationally published LCN Events Wedding Planning and Design three months after graduating from BGSU. In addition to thriving as an entrepreneur, deVaudreuil authored her first book, “Visionary,” and is actively writing a second. She assumes the role from Kurstyn Loeffler who served as the center’s director since 2022.
DeVaudreuil graduated from BGSU in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, specializing in sales and service marketing. She and her husband, Brandon, are Falcon Flames and live in Findlay with their three dachshunds. In addition to supporting entrepreneurial education, deVaudreuil enjoys reading, traveling and volunteering in northwest Ohio communities.
“We are thrilled to have Courtney back at her alma mater and as the new leader of the center,” said Dr. Jennifer Percival, dean of the BGSU Schmidthorst College of Business. “Empowered by a BGSU degree, Courtney has embraced an entrepreneurial mindset, accomplishing so much as a business owner. Along with the University’s comprehensive business curriculum, all BGSU students will have the opportunity to gain real-world insight through Courtney’s deep understanding and appreciation for entrepreneurship to help them develop their own plans, products and ideas.”
DeVaudreuil’s addition to the University comes as the Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership hosts its annual Entrepreneurship Week – or E-Week – programming from April 8-12. The weeklong event brings entrepreneurial leaders from around the country to campus to connect with students from all majors.
E-Week also features signature programming like the Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Hall of Fame inductions and The Hatch, which serves as the culmination of a 10-week immersive program that takes student – or Hatchling – business ideas from concept to the stage in hopes of securing further funding for development.
As one of only 20 centers worldwide recognized by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the Paul J. Hooker Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership serves as northwest Ohio’s premier resource for entrepreneurial education.
The center bolsters the BGSU Schmidthorst College of Business entrepreneurship program, which ranks among the top 3% of universities in the country. Additionally, the center offers a high school curriculum, providing entrepreneurship education for teachers, and promotes entrepreneurship through various speaking engagements and programming.
