On Sept. 1 and 2, 2011 more than 125 Duke graduate students joined the Center for Energy, Development, and the Global Environment (EDGE) and the Duke MBA Energy Club for a workshop on Energy Industry Fundamentals (EIF) at Fuqua School of Business. Participants—who included students from Fuqua’s Daytime MBA, Cross-Continent MBA, MEM/MBA, and MMS programs—received an immersive introduction to the science, policy, technology, and behavioral aspects of energy. They heard from thought leaders from among Duke’s energy faculty, including—among others—Fuqua core professor Rick Larrick, visiting instructor and author of Solar Revolution Travis Bradford, and Richard Newell, Director of the Duke University Energy Initiative and a former member of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors. As part of the event, Roberta Bowman, Chief Sustainability Officer of Duke Energy Corporation, gave an inspiring call to action to those interested in working in the energy sector.
“Through the EIF, I got a deep dive and as well as a broad view of the industry. It also allowed me to understand the unlimited opportunities that Fuqua and Duke’s community offers” said Sebastian Vergara, a member of the Daytime MBA Class of 2013. Paul Klenk, from the CCMBA Class of 2011, agreed. “The Energy Industry Fundamentals was a well-thought-out overview of the energy industry, concentrating on the specific needs of MBA students. As a Cross Continent MBA student, it was particularly useful because it provided me with the opportunity to meet professors and students from across Duke’s campus working on energy issues.”