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Contact: Liz Carroll
Phone: 413/775-1420
E-mail: carroll@gcc.mass.edu

Media contact: Liz Carroll
Marketing & Publications
413/775-1420 | carroll@gcc.mass.edu

Release date: May 9, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Two from GCC honored for entrepreneurship

Two Greenfield Community College students were honored at the second annual Entrepreneurship Initiatives banquet held April 14. Sponsored by the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation, the event brought 13 colleges from the Pioneer Valley together to recognize the achievements and entrepreneurial spirit of 32 students.

Eli Higbee-Glace of Hadley attended the Culinary Institute of America and worked in such notable venues as L'Orangerie of Hollywood, Calif. and Restaurant Danielle in Manhattan. Since returning to school full-time at Greenfield Community College, Eli has been planning a coffee-roasting business that will specialize in fair-trade and organic coffee from all over the globe. His plan includes renovating a building on family property into a coffee-roasting facility and opening a retail coffee store and café. Eli has put his knowledge of the food service industry to use by organizing Café Academia, the first student-run business on the GCC campus. After one semester of planning, Eli pulled together a team of students to open, a coffee bar with hours of 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily, five days a week. Sales have passed the $1,500 mark. The café's success has led to campus-wide discussions concerning the provision of Internet access to the café, and its expansion.

Anatoly Kishinevski of Northampton is the founder, owner and artistic inspiration behind Anatoly Glass. Anatoly began working with glass his senior year of high school after taking a bead-making class with world-renowned artist and scientific glassblower, Sally Prasch. He was immediately drawn to the craft. Two years and many classes later, Anatoly is renowned in the region for his unique, flame-worked glass products and services. His products are offered in two categories: scientific glass and art glass. Anatoly Glass jewelry is sold in several galleries on the East Coast, in retail shops and at craft shows.

The Entrepreneurship Initiative of the Harold Grinspoon Charitable Foundation was created two years ago in an effort to encourage college students to focus on their innovative ability and to turn their innovations into businesses that will create economic opportunity and growth in the Pioneer Valley. Those being recognized received monetary awards from the Grinspoon Foundation. Besides Greenfield Community College, participating schools included Holyoke Community College, Springfield Technical Community College, University of Massachusetts, American International College, Bay Path College, Elms College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, Springfield College, Western New England College and Westfield State College.