Recognizing the region's growing demand for intellectual development, Duke Energyhas contributed $10 million to UNC Charlotte as part of the university's $100-million fund-raising campaign.
The investment is the largest made by The Duke Energy Foundation, and combined with the company's other commitments, represents the largest ever received by UNC Charlotte. The money will be used to establish a fund to support the initiatives of the university's Charlotte Institute for Technology Innovation.
Duke Energy also will provide $576,000 to fund
research conducted by Dr. Hilary Inyang, the
College of Engineering’s Duke Energy
Distinguished Professor of Environmental
Engineering and Science, and $50,000 to The
William States Lee College of Engineering.
“This investment and the activities of the
Charlotte Institute align with our focus on
developing the critical mathematical and
engineering talent that will drive economic growth
and development in our region’s high-tech
industry,” said Rick Priory, chairman, president
and CEO of Duke Energy.
UNC Charlotte established the Charlotte Institute
in December 2000 to accelerate the growth of
intellectual capital through technology research,
and to stimulate entrepreneurship and economic
growth through public-private partnerships.
“In extraordinary fashion, Duke Energy has shown
confidence in our ability to provide intellectual
capital for the Charlotte region and North
Carolina,” said Dr. James Woodward, chancellor
of UNC Charlotte. “This truly is a
transformational gift.”
