CLEMSON -- An anonymous donor has provided Clemson University's Spiro Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership a $50,000 gift to fund graduate student assistantships.

Center director Caron St. John says the gift will fund graduate assistants over a five-year period.

"This donation is set up to provide the center with $10,000 each academic year for five years," St. John said. "It is designed to cover the cost of two graduate assistants each year."

The graduate students will provide business assistance to new and growth-stage business ventures.

The mission of the Spiro Center is to support educational, research and outreach programs that promote entrepreneurial activity and economic development of the region, state and nation. The focus is on wealth creation through entrepreneurial activity.