Matthew E. Draper, Vice President for Development & Alumni Relations, returned to Clarkson in October 2010 to launch the Shipley Center for Innovation after spending 8 years at W.W. Grainger, the world's largest industrial distributor. A co-developer of the Clarkson Model for Commercialization, a process recognized by the Kauffman Foundation as a best demonstrated practice, Draper helped launch over 200 startups which collectively raised over $30 million in venture funding.
In August 2016, Draper became Director of Corporate Engagement at Clarkson University with a focus on cultivating relationships with key industry partners for recruitment, research, and philanthropy. Draper became Interim Vice President for Development & Alumni Relations in March 2018 and moved into the role full time in July 2019. Draper has deep roots at Clarkson having graduated from Clarkson in 2002 with a degree in Business Administration and receiving his MBA from Clarkson in 2003 with a concentration in Supply Chain Management. Draper met his wife, Erin, while a student at Clarkson and both of his brothers attended the University.