Duke Energy official wins company award for Purdue collaboration for expanded Energy Academy
June 20, 2013
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Longtime Duke Energy Corp. employee Jim Sublett is a 2013 winner of the James B. Duke Award for his role in launching a summer learning academy at Purdue University for high school students and teachers.
Sublett, a senior sourcing specialist for the utility's Indiana operations in Plainfield, was honored at a June 3 ceremony in Charlotte, N.C. Receiving the award were two individual winners and 23 employees who comprised four teams. Winners are nominated and selected by their peers for the James B. Duke Award, which is the highest company honor.
The 2013 Energy Academy at Purdue, which began Sunday (June 16) and runs through Saturday (June 22), includes a visit and inaugural talk by Jim Rogers, the chairman, president and CEO for Duke Energy. His talk is titled "Shedding Light on America's Energy Future." Sublett also is on campus during the academy for 70 students and teachers from Indiana and across the Midwest.
On the heels of the "Frontiers in Bio Energy" symposium, Sublett felt compelled to get young people interested in energy industry careers and to help high school science teachers develop lesson plans that reflect the latest developments within the industry. He also wanted to educate the public on the many issues affecting the energy industry. With these goals in mind, he drew out a plan.
Working with John Schneider, Purdue assistant vice president for industry research, Sublett designed a special one-week energy camp for high school students and science teachers to promote education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Schneider and Sublett also established a steering committee to develop the detailed plans and grant applications needed to bring the program to fruition. Sublett was instrumental in securing funding through the Duke Energy Foundation. A weeklong academy featuring free on-campus housing and meals was established because of his efforts.
Sublett worked to open the doors to the first class of the Energy Academy in 2012. The class featured 20 students and 16 teachers.
One student said the camp "will change the way you think about the world." Other students called the camp "engaging," "entertaining" and "educational." Teachers also praised the camp, saying it helped them embrace the topic of energy in the classroom.
Because of its success, Purdue is expanding the program this summer, and teachers and students around the state are working to create energy clubs at their schools. Additionally, one participating teacher was invited to work in an energy startup company at Purdue's Research Park.
The award is named for James B. Duke (1856-1925), the noted tobacco and electric power industrialist and namesake of Duke Energy. Winners of this award are recognized as role models for the company's mission and values.
Media Contacts: Phillip Fiorini, 765-496-3133, pfiorini@purdue.edu
Hailey Wilson, 980-373-2881, hailey.wilson@duke-energy.com
Sources: John Schneider, 765-496-1779, mmccann@purdue.edu
Video: http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/energy/energy-camp/video.php
Related websites:
Energy Academy at Purdue: http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/energy/energyacademy/
Purdue Energy Center: http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/energy/
Duke Energy Foundation: http://www.duke-energy.com/community/foundation.asp
Duke Energy: http://www.duke-energy.com/indiana.asp
Discovery Park: http://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/
