Duke Energy has partnered with
Chatfield College, a Catholic liberal arts college based in Over-the-Rhine, to offer a free course for students and community members in environmental sustainability. This course will allow students to learn about environmental issues and solutions, how to apply and develop this information in everyday living, and prepare for professions in the field of sustainability.
Chatfield College developed the curriculum, presented it to Duke Energy, and they jumped on board. Because the
Duke Energy Foundation Community Sustainability Grant Program funded this course, students and community members now have access to important information that can affect their future. Duke Energy offers grants for those participants that are going to help the community to understand and to be energy efficient.
"By offering this course for free, thanks to the Duke Energy Foundation, we are opening doors to an environmental education that some students and community members may have never had the opportunity to receive. This course will help not only our Chatfield students, but the community as a whole," said Chatfield academic dean, Dr. Roger Courts.
The class will be offered at Chatfield's St. Martin campus due to the great interest in urban farming expressed by their students. Britney Grimmelsman, a social media and special events coordinator at Chatfield College, explained the hopes and goals of this sustainability course.
"We are hoping it takes off and the students that are exposed to it take it and expand it. St. Martin's is a tight community therefore they can take what they learn and use it for their businesses or in their own personal house." Grimmelsman said.
The course will provide information to students about prolonging the life of energy sources and reducing the amount of pollution created. Students will not only learn about issues and methods about environment sustainability, but they will also have hands on experience by researching potential projects to reduce energy consumption at the St. Martin campus.
Eric Davenport, the instructor of the course, expressed his excitement and importance of the course.
"It is a wonderful opportunity to be able to inform and assist those who want to know more to improve their own lives and directly/indirectly improve the health of the environment at the same time," Davenport said.
Writer: Lisa Ensminger
Photography by Scott Beseler.
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