Smithfield, RI—Supported by a generous gift from Trustee Kimberly (Sprague) '22H and Frohman Anderson, Bryant University’s new Sprague Center for Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking was dedicated on Thursday in honor of Anderson’s parents and Bryant alums Audrey F. (Perreault) Sprague ’56 and the late Robert E. “Bob” Sprague ’56. The center, one of the flagship spaces in Bryant’s Business Entrepreneurship Leadership Center, will serve as a regional hub for student and community startups.
“The Sprague Center stands as a testament to the Spragues’ commitment to entrepreneurship and Bryant University,” says Bryant President Ross Gittell, Ph.D. “Their generosity and vision have opened doors for future successful entrepreneurs and business and community leaders. Bryant University is proud to dedicate this state-of-the-art facility in recognition of their extraordinary legacy and lifelong dedication to creating opportunities for generations to come.”
The space also features the Charles A. Collis ’83 Entrepreneurship Classroom, honoring Frohman Anderson’s father, a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist who served as a Bryant trustee from 1984 to 1993.
“The Sprague Center exemplifies what makes Bryant special, creating this innovation ecosystem where students learn through hands-on experiences and cross-disciplinary collaborations,” says Anderson. “The Sprague Center and Collis Classroom are reminders of our families’ lifelong dedication to providing opportunities for the next generation. I can’t wait to see the life-changing ideas that will emerge from here.”
The center includes a 7,800-square-foot makerspace with a range of high-tech tools, as well as an incubator and co-working spaces to inspire collaboration. Nine out of ten office spaces are designated for Bryant student entrepreneurs, including the inaugural FOUNDERS (Fellowship for Office Use, Networking, Development, Entrepreneurship, Representation & Support): four student entrepreneurs with successful businesses, from a coffee startup to a designer footwear company. The remaining office space is designated for Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, subject matter experts, and ecosystem partners.
“At Bryant, you have people you can vent to, professors to give you advice, and access to capital,” says Vincent Emery ’26, a FOUNDERS member whose Lil’ Rhody Coffee Company products are sold across the region and served on the Bryant campus. “The center brings all those assets and support systems into one space.”
The center builds upon Bryant’s longstanding tradition of entrepreneurship and design thinking, from the renowned Entrepreneurship program to Bryant’s Innovation and Design Experience for All (IDEA), a three-day design thinking bootcamp for first-year students held every January. Student clubs, including Bryant Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization (CEO) and Bryant DECA, reinforce entrepreneurial skills outside of the classroom.
“Bryant’s emphasis on entrepreneurship and design thinking equips students with the knowledge, skills, and strong academic foundation to succeed and is complemented by experiential learning, mentorship, and real-world opportunities,” says Rupendra Paliwal, Ph.D., Bryant’s provost and chief academic officer. “In the Sprague Center, our students will be empowered to boldly innovate, take risks, and achieve what they once thought was impossible.”
Kristie DeJesus, director of the Sprague Center, added that the facility offers a range of community programs including mentorship opportunities, workshops, and networking events to build strong connections with local businesses and industry leaders.
“This isn’t just a space; it’s a launchpad,” says DeJesus. “The Sprague Center is a vibrant hub for creativity and collaboration, providing students and community partners a supportive environment to transform ideas into viable ventures with real-world impact while inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs and changemakers.”
About Bryant University
For more than 160 years, Bryant University has been at the forefront of delivering an exceptional education that anticipates the future and prepares students to be innovative leaders of character in a changing world. The university delivers an integrated academic and student life experience with nationally recognized academic programs at the intersection of business, liberal arts, and health and behavioral sciences.
Located on a 465-acre contemporary campus in Smithfield, R.I., Bryant enrolls approximately 3,800 undergraduate and graduate students from 41 states and 50 countries. Bryant is recognized as a top 1 percent national leader in student education outcomes and ROI and regularly receives high rankings from U.S. News and World Report, QS Stars, Money, Bloomberg Businessweek, Wall Street Journal, and College Factual. Bryant.edu