Advancing innovation and entrepreneurship

The University of Delaware (UD) will establish the Neil Book School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship within the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics, effective July 1, 2026. The initiative follows a unanimous Board of Trustees vote on May 11, 2026, and builds on UD’s existing Horn Entrepreneurship hub, which has operated for over 14 years. The new school will integrate innovation-driven education, research collaboration, and real-world funding opportunities for students, faculty, and researchers across all disciplines. Funding for the school comes from a landmark gift by Neil and Sharon Book, UD alumni. Neil Book, a 1999 graduate and CEO of JSSI, emphasized the school’s role in equipping students with skills to navigate AI-driven business transformations. ‘Our mission is to turn ideas into action,’ he said, highlighting the school’s focus on problem-solving, venture creation, and leadership in a rapidly changing economy. The gift will also support the construction of a dedicated space in UD’s planned Siegfried Hall. President Laura Carlson described the school as a catalyst for fostering an ‘entrepreneurial mindset’ across UD’s student body, regardless of major. ‘This is about cultivating creative problem-solvers and ethical leaders,’ she stated. Lerner College Dean Oliver Yao added that the school will serve as a hub for experiential learning, strengthening UD’s national and global impact by preparing graduates to drive—not just adapt to—industry shifts. The Neil Book School will replace and expand upon Horn Entrepreneurship, leveraging its award-winning programs to offer enhanced mentorship, funding access, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The initiative aligns with UD’s goal of positioning Lerner College among the top business schools in the U.S. by producing graduates who lead innovation in fields like AI and sustainability. Construction of the school’s physical space is underway as part of the broader Siegfried Hall development.