The Freeman School honored restaurateur Ti Martin (MBA ’84) and philanthropists Dana (N ’80, L ’84) and Stanley (BSM ’80) Day as its 2014 Entrepreneurs of the Year. The awards were presented at this year’s Tulane Council of Entrepreneurs Awards Gala, which took place April 11 at the Westin New Orleans Canal Place.
Martin was named the Tulane Distinguished Entrepreneur of the Year while the Days received the Tulane Outstanding Social Entrepreneurs of the Year Award.
The Freeman School’s Levy-Rosenblum Institute for Entrepreneurship presents the awards each year to highlight outstanding entrepreneurs in the community. The Tulane Distinguished Entrepreneur of Year Award honors individuals who combine entrepreneurial success with philanthropic generosity and service to the community. The Tulane Outstanding Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award recognizes individuals dedicated to solving social problems and improving the community through the use of entrepreneurial principles.
Martin is co-proprietor of the Commander’s Family of Restaurants, which includes Commander’s Palace, Café Adelaide and SoBou in New Orleans and Brennan’s of Houston. Martin is also co-founder and board chairman of the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute, which is currently developing a culinary and hospitality school in partnership with Tulane, Delgado and the University of New Orleans. A longtime champion of business and civic causes in New Orleans, Martin has served on the boards of GNO Inc., the Bureau of Governmental Research, the Idea Village, the Young Leadership Council, the New Orleans Hospitality Strategic Task Force and the New Orleans Business Council. Martin was also a co-founder of the New Orleans “Proud to Call it Home” campaign.
Dana and Stan Day began supporting Tulane University personally after Katrina and expanded their role when their NewDay Foundation began supporting social entrepreneurship initiatives at Tulane in 2009. Through the foundation, the Days have sponsored programs including the NewDay Social Venture Challenge, the NewDay Social Entrepreneurship Distinguished Speakers Series and the NewDay Professor of Social Entrepreneurship. Dana Day is a member of the Board of Tulane and Stan Day serves on the President’s Council.
“The name Ti Martin is synonymous with the hospitality industry in New Orleans, and Dana and Stan Day are among the very biggest supporters of social entrepreneurship and innovation at Tulane University,” said Dean Ira Solomon in announcing the awards. “We’re delighted to be able to recognize Ti and Dana and Stan as our 2014 Entrepreneurs of the Year.”
