Ben Hage has been named director of Illinois Wesleyan University’s Petrick Idea Center starting June 1. He currently serves as the director of Innovate Springfield at the University of Illinois Springfield.
Hage succeeds the retired John Quarton, the previous director of the center who retired in 2025.
"I am thrilled to be joining Illinois Wesleyan," Hage said in a press release. "It is an incredible opportunity to lean into a community where the Midwestern ethos meets the high-level critical thinking of a top-tier liberal arts university. “
Plans have been in development for the center since 2021 and university administrators broke ground on the site around this time last year for a 15,000-square-foot facility. It is set to open this fall semester.
University Provost John Miles welcomed Hage to the center designed to be a hub of creativity and innovation for the campus.
"He brings great ideas for advancing the vision for the Petrick Idea Center, to serve the larger community and actively bring together students whose grounding in the liberal arts will provide a springboard for creative problem solving and innovative thinking,” Miles said.
At Innovate Springfield, Hage leads a similar program to encourage entrepreneurship among students, faculty, staff and community members. He has written curriculum, developed new academic paths and designed training programs at the institution.
Hage is also completing a doctoral degree in higher education administration at Illinois State University.
