The Journal Record

The University of Oklahoma’s Center for the Creation of Economic Wealth has been selected to represent Oklahoma as the winner of the Southern Growth Policies Board 2010 Innovator Award.

The award will be presented on June 7 in Lexington, Ky.

Administered by OU’s Office of Technology Development, the center commercializes Oklahoma technologies by engaging students, researchers and entrepreneurial mentors to strengthen and diversify the economy through the nurturing of technology-based enterprise.

“OU’s Center for the Creation of Economic Wealth provides a unique environment for faculty, students and alumni to combine their talents around OU innovation to strengthen the global competitiveness of our region and nation,” said Daniel Pullin, university vice president for strategic planning and technology development.

Since its creation in 2006, the center’s commercialization teams have launched new companies, created intellectual property, written award-winning business plans and attracted more than $4 million of funding.

Each year, the Southern Growth Policies Board honors Southern initiatives that are improving economic opportunities and quality of life in the region.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear will be the host for this year’s conference.

– Staff report