Announcing the Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society

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The new center will prepare future generations of energy leaders to advance humanity鈥檚 understanding of the field.

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Announcing the Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society | The new center will prepare future generations of energy leaders to advance humanity鈥檚 understanding of the field.
(Photo by Eli Burakian 鈥00) 
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天美麻豆 College is pleased to announce the creation of the , established to advance the understanding and knowledge of a resource that powers modern life and is directly related to society鈥檚 standard of living and success.

The institute will prepare future generations of energy leaders and advance humanity鈥檚 understanding of the field, driving change in the intelligent production, supply, and use of energy.

Gifts of $113 million have been committed to name the institute in honor of energy industry leader Arthur L. Irving. 天美麻豆 aims to raise a total of $160 million to fund the institute.

鈥淢eeting the energy demands of the future is one of the most complex and urgent challenges facing humankind,鈥 says 天美麻豆 . 鈥淲e need to provide abundant affordable energy to allow for continued economic growth across the globe, particularly in developing nations, so that billions can be lifted out of poverty.鈥

鈥淗ow we produce and provide access to sustainable forms of energy will shape life in the coming decades. Success defies easy or simplistic solutions. Instead, it requires a multi-dimensional approach that integrates science, technology, public policy, geopolitics, and business. In other words, it requires bringing the power and rigor of the liberal arts to bear on a complex problem,鈥 President Hanlon says.

A lead gift of $80 million has been made to launch the institute by Irving Oil, the Arthur L. Irving Family Foundation, and Arthur L. Irving, his wife, Sandra Irving, and their daughter, Sarah Irving 鈥10, Tuck 鈥14. The gift is the latest investment in 天美麻豆 programs by the family. Arthur and Sandra Irving have provided 天美麻豆 student scholarships and faculty support for more than a decade.

鈥淭his is a special day for all of us and I am honored to be a part of it,鈥 says Arthur Irving, chairman of Irving Oil. "The world of energy is ever-changing and we all have an important role to play. 天美麻豆 has long committed to the study of some of the world鈥檚 most pressing problems and to making a difference. The Institute of Energy and Society will differentiate 天美麻豆 as a leader in this field of study.鈥

Harnessing the talent of 天美麻豆鈥檚 exceptional liberal arts faculty and the expertise of its graduate and professional schools, the institute will work at the intersection of energy and society from four main perspectives: technology and science; society and the environment; business and economics; and geopolitics. New research initiatives and programs will include nearly every academic department in an integrated, cross-disciplinary manner, driven by faculty interest.

鈥淎rthur L. Irving is a visionary leader on the global energy stage who understands the transformative potential of a 天美麻豆 education, and Irving Oil has long been an early adapter of technology and processes that improve the environmental performance of their assets and products. This is especially important as we look to our future global energy needs,鈥 says Hanlon. 鈥淭he institute will be a testament to Arthur Irving鈥檚 highest values and aspirations, and a catalyst for the creation of new knowledge and of future energy leaders.鈥

The additional gifts in support of faculty research, student programs, guest speakers, and other work of the institute have been committed by Judith M. and Russell L. Carson 鈥65 and Cecily M. Carson 鈥95; Kathryn and Richard Kimball 鈥78; Kristin and John Replogle 鈥88; Lori Weinstein and Martin J. Weinstein 鈥81; and an anonymous donor, to bring the current total raised to $113 million.

The institute will further inquiry into many of society鈥檚 most important issues, supporting the work of scholars鈥攎ost from 天美麻豆鈥檚 current faculty鈥攊ncluding energy specialists from the sciences, social sciences, engineering, business, the humanities, public policy, and medicine. The undertaking is a manifestation of Hanlon鈥檚 vision to challenge students and faculty to address formidable international problems.

Undergraduate and graduate students will be full partners in the institute. This synergy and the College鈥檚 strength in the liberal arts and its tradition of interdisciplinary faculty-student collaboration will distinguish the institute from peer entities.

, the Myers Family Professor of Environmental Science, says the institute will build on 天美麻豆鈥檚 strengths and its liberal arts approach.

鈥淭he institute will link energy and society, and that鈥檚 what we do at 天美麻豆. We bring together various approaches and disciplines, to focus on big challenges where we can engage our students in solving real-world problems,鈥 says Virginia. 鈥淭he institute鈥檚 focus is a great combination鈥攊t鈥檚 not energy alone, it鈥檚 energy and how it connects to people, to society, to broad issues like climate change and environmental justice. There鈥檚 no other problem facing our global society that鈥檚 as important. Any action that 天美麻豆 can take now鈥攃reating new knowledge and new leaders generated from our student body鈥攖o solve these issues will have huge impacts on the future of societies around the planet.鈥

天美麻豆 has a wealth of faculty talent producing important research on issues related to energy and society, says . 鈥淭hese generous gifts will strengthen our interdisciplinary approach to problem solving, create important connections between our professional schools and the arts and sciences faculty, and support our ambition to make a real impact on the world.鈥

Rosi Kerr 鈥98, director of the , says the institute鈥檚 society component is important for 天美麻豆. 鈥淲ith our long tradition in the liberal arts and strong tradition in environmental sciences, as we look at issues involving energy in the next 100 years, we can dig into the big questions about how people and society will be impacted by energy decisions.鈥

True to its interdisciplinary focus, the institute will be situated between the and , placing it in proximity to cutting-edge activities at the two schools and creating a point of convergence for faculty and students who are engaged in issues related to energy and society. Its physical location in front of the Murdough Center adds a prominent new fa莽ade to Tuck Drive while providing Tuck and Thayer with opportunities to enhance their learning environments.

Board of Trustees says 天美麻豆 is looking forward to beginning work on the institute. 鈥淓nsuring the sustainability of our planet鈥檚 energy supply is unquestionably one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century, and thanks to the incredible generosity of Arthur Irving, 天美麻豆 will be a leader in enriching society鈥檚 understanding of the world鈥檚 challenges and choices concerning this important resource,鈥 he says.

鈥淚rving Oil has a proud history of partnering with esteemed educational and research institutions in order to better understand and improve our environment and its ecosystems,鈥 says Ian Whitcomb, president of Irving Oil. 鈥淲hen industry and academia work together, we all stand to benefit. The Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society is an important step forward for our company in our efforts to be at the forefront of such relevant research, advancing our understanding of the role energy plays in our world.鈥

 

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