Robert Carton, Ph.D., associate professor of entrepreneurship at Western Carolina University, is set to deliver the annual Griffin Bell Distinguished Lecture at Georgia Southwestern State University on Thursday, Feb. 22. Carton will center his discussion on the effectiveness of a university and community partnership around entrepreneurship and business development.

“It is our hope to get a community conversation started about the value of an entrepreneurship program to our students, the university, and our community,” states Neal Weaver, Ph.D., GSW president. “Dr. Carton will help us lay the groundwork and emphasize the importance of a university and community partnership.”

All area businesses and community leaders are encouraged to attend this free event that is co-hosted with the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce.

Carton will also be speaking to GSW business students while on campus. “We are pleased to have Dr. Carton on our campus,” says Liz Wilson, Ph.D., dean of the School of the Business Administration. “His experience at bringing together campus and community resources to create entrepreneurial opportunities is exciting. The School of Business looks forward to meeting with him and discussing ways we can pursue that kind of synergy here in our community and region.”

Carton’s research interests include organizational performance measurement and entrepreneurship. He was the chief financial and administrative officer for five different entrepreneurial businesses which included a publicly traded mortgage-banking firm, two venture capital-backed technology companies, a computer software company, hardware and leasing company and an environmental services company.

Carton started his career as a CPA with Deloitte. He currently serves on the board of directors for a $100 million healthcare company in Atlanta, Ga. and an integrated products company in Asheboro, N.C. He also is on the board of advisors for a startup technology company in Atlanta. Carton lives in Glenville, N.C. with his wife of 37 years.

The Bell Lecture Series, which brings notable individuals and outstanding alumni to campus to share their experiences, is made possible through a gift from the late Griffin B. Bell, GSW alumnus and former U.S. attorney general.

The luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 22 in the Private Dining Room of the Marshall Student Center at GSW. To reserve your seat or receive additional information about this event, contact Angela Smith at [email protected] or call (229) 928-1360. RSVP by Feb. 16.