WKU News & Events

December 05, 2001

WKU Faculty Members Launch
New Economy Business

Bowling Green, Ky. - A new economy enterprise has been launched by faculty members in Western Kentucky University's Gordon Ford College of Business.

The Center for Information Technology Enterprise, Inc. (CITE) was created by faculty in the Computer Information Systems program.

CITE, in collaboration with the Gordon Ford College of Business, is a nonprofit organization providing information technology expertise, leadership, strategy and policy planning to business, government and educational institutions in Kentucky. CITE provides a mechanism through which faculty can provide such expertise.

"Universities across the country have center's such as CITE to assist businesses needing strategies today for tomorrow's technology," according to Dr. Linda Johnson, CITE president.

CIS faculty members are "very excited about this endeavor and the opportunity to be more involved with the business community in the surrounding region," said Dr. Jeff Butterfield, associate professor. "Businesses want to leverage technology to become more efficient and effective; however, until now, limited avenues existed for providing such service."

Dr. Robert Jefferson, dean of the Gordon Ford College of Business and chairman of the CITE board of directors, applauded the Computer Information Systems faculty for having the foresight to create the nonprofit, nonaffiliated corporation. "The tie between business and industry, education and government are critical to moving our economy forward," he said.

WKU President Gary Ransdell said CITE will benefit the University and this region.

"I am pleased to know that our faculty and students have created an organization to facilitate the latest in information technology throughout business and industry in this part of the state," Dr. Ransdell said. "Their participation in CITE will help Western fulfill its mission of enhancing economic development opportunities in this region by helping business and industry become better networked. I'm proud of Linda Johnson and her colleagues."

The Center for Information Technology Enterprise is located at 1711 Destiny Place, Suite 108, in Bowling Green. CITE's offices include state-of-the-art video conferencing facilities and some of the latest technology including a wireless network and wall-mounted plasma displays. A Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting is being planned for late January.

For more information, contact Linda Johnson at (270) 781-4320. More WKU news is available on the World Wide Web at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via E-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.