University of California, Riverside administrators approached internationally-famous desert entrepreneur Richard J. Heckmann in 1998 with an idea to establish a Desert Water Institute, reasoning that Mr. Heckmann’s interest in water issues and experience with UC researchers while CEO of U.S. Filter might be a match. Instead, Mr. Heckmann countered with a vision for growth of entrepreneurship in the Coachella Valley that led directly to the establishment of the Richard J. Heckmann International Center for Entrepreneurial Management, the anchor building of the UCR Palm Desert Graduate Center.
Mr. Heckmann envisioned a graduate degree center focused on training new executives by combining faculty expertise with real-world knowledge. University officials met his vision with a complete proposal delineating all facets of a proposed graduate center from acquisition of real estate through facility and academic program planning.
When all agreements in principle were reached, Mr. Heckmann’s $6 million gift was joined with the acquisition by UCR of a 20-acre parcel of land from the City of Palm Desert at the corner of Cook Street and Frank Sinatra Drive. An additional $10 million was committed by Gov. Gray Davis for a second building at the site. On April 15, 2005, the buildings were completed and opening ceremonies were held. Never before had a University of California campus been built adjacent to a California State University campus.
Classes began in September 2005 for students in the Master of Business Administration and Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Writing for the Performing Arts programs. In early 2006 a strategic plan was put in place, leading to creation of Executive Education programs, strategic alliances and greater community outreach through events and appearances of guest artists to complement the graduate level academic programs. The Center is also now home to university researchers in conservation biology, technology transfer and Native American studies with a Center for renewable energy in the proposal stage.
The UCR Palm Desert Graduate Center will be a catalyst for the economic diversification of the region by providing relevant regional research, offering innovative graduate and professional programs that attract and retain world class talent to the region, and extend the resources of the university through research, education and service. Our programs focus on entrepreneurial management, the arts and the physical and cultural environment and their intersection, with the goal of meeting the challenges that affect communities experiencing rapid growth and change.