Russell S. Sobel, associate professor of economics in the West Virginia University College of Business and Economics, has been appointed director of the West Virginia University Entrepreneurship Center.

Sobel has served as interim director of the center since October 2002, during which time he has achieved remarkable results, said Dean Jay Coats.

“As permanent director, he will be able to move forward even more boldly to extend the present accomplishments and have an even greater impact,”Coats said.

Located in the College of Business and Economics, the Entrepreneurship Center was established in 2002 by the joint efforts of the College of Business and Economics, Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences, Extension Service, and Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development.

Sobel obtained his doctorate in economics from Florida State University in 1994. He has won numerous teaching awards at WVU and has published more than 50 articles and several scholarly books, including a bestselling principles of economics textbook.

Since being appointed interim director, Sobel has been involved in state entrepreneurship-related organizations and committees, developed key contacts for the center and established an annual student business plan competition.

In addition, he developed a student-staffed business incubator jointly with the WVU Office of Technology Transfer, placed several interns with startup companies and began an academic research program for the center. Most recently he has been focusing on a revised educational curriculum in entrepreneurship at the University. To find out more about the Entrepreneurship Center, visitwww.be.wvu.edu/ec.