Devlin to speak on 25th anniversary of Devlin Hall Devlin to speak on 25th anniversary of Devlin Hall

Tom Devlin, one of Wichita's most successful entrepreneurs, will speak at a Wichita State University Center for Entrepreneurship forum event for the 25th anniversary of Devlin Hall, the first university building in the world dedicated to entrepreneurship education.

Devlin will be featured in the Meritrust Entrepreneurship Forum event from 2:15-3:15 p.m. today (Tuesday, April 15) in 107 Devlin Hall.

The event, honoring Tom and his wife, Myra, will also include remarks from WSU President John Bardo and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran. The forum will be followed by a public reception in the lobby of Devlin Hall.

Devlin Court in Charles Koch Arena, also is named for Tom Devlin.

Devlin was a WSU student in the late 1960s when he dropped out of school and became manager of a rent-to-own business.

He found a lot of ways to improve on the prevailing ideas in that industry and started a national company called Rent-A-Center, which he grew into the world's largest rental company with about 300 locations, which he eventually sold.

Devlin was only 39 years old when he made his fortune, and he and his wife decided to give back to WSU with a $5 million pledge that included money for the construction of Devlin Hall.
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Contact: Lou Heldman, interim director, Center for Entrepreneurship, 316-978-7114 or lou.heldman@wichita.edu.