EKU Energy Club
This fall EKU students have joined together to form the EKU Energy Club, a student organization dedicated to educating the campus community and the general public on wide variety of topics related to energy. The club is a chapter of a state-wide Kentucky Energy Club which is modeled after the Energy Club at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Its primary mission is to bring together a diverse group of students and educate, engage and excite one another concerning the issue of energy and the future of Kentuckians as active participants on the global energy stage. The Kentucky Energy Club consists of several college chapters throughout the state including the University of Kentucky, Morehead State University, Centre College and Ashland Community College in addition to EKU.
One of the primary club functions will be to host campus forums in which industry, government and academic experts discuss pertinent energy-related topics. This will provide EKU students, staff and faculty and other members of the community to engage in meaningful conversation with leaders in the energy industry. EKU’s first forum is set for November 15th at 5:00 pm and will feature Dr. Rodney Andrews, director of the University of Kentucky’s Center for Applied Energy Research.
In addition to education, the club will participate in community outreach and service projects with energy-specific themes. “There's a lot of debating that exists today and I want to provide a place where people can educate themselves and form their own opinions about various kinds of alternative energies. Finally, I want the club to give back to the community by performing service projects that would help educate the community about energy,” says EKU Energy Club President Kendra Hargis.
As members of the EKU Energy club, students will have the benefit of taking energy-related field trips throughout the state each year. There will be mentoring opportunities available for student members interested in gaining experience in a specific energy-related field. CRAFT Director, Dr. Bruce Pratt will serve as faculty advisor for the EKU Energy Club and has helped lead efforts to establish the club on campus. “CRAFT is very excited to be involved in the establishment of an energy club on EKU’s campus because it is part of our mission to get students involved in the bio-energy industry, as well as educate and engage the public about alternative and renewable energies,” explained Brad Barnett, CRAFT’s program coordinator.
Contact Information
Brad Barnett
brad.barnett@eku.edu
859-622-7316
Published on November 10, 2011