Nate Perry, center left, managing director of the Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies, Kevin Johnston, center right, former Government and Community Relations Manager at Duke Energy, and three Huntington University agriculture students present some of the equipment purchased through the grants Huntington University received from the Duke Energy Foundation. Photo provided by Huntington University.

News Release

HUNTINGTON — Since 2021, Huntington University agriculture students have directly benefited from $30,000 in grant funding provided by the Duke Energy Foundation, a community-focused philanthropic arm of Duke Energy. Three $10,000 grants increased workforce development opportunities for the next generation of agriscience professionals by providing access to industry materials and technology in Huntington University agriculture courses.

In 2021, a Duke Energy Foundation grant provided for the purchase of welding helmets and protective equipment, power tools, tool bags and building supplies that 23 students used in the Welding and Construction and Maintenance agriculture courses. A grant in 2022 was used for the purchase of a DJI Phantom 4 drone and Sentera sensors, offering eight students who participated in a drone course in partnership with Purdue Extension the opportunity to interact with precision agriculture technology. In 2023, a third grant provided lab equipment for 11 animal health and veterinary nursing students, giving these students on-campus access to realistic veterinary nursing skills practice.

The materials purchased through these three grants will continue to be available for Huntington University students to use, expanding the grants’ impact beyond the students who initially benefitted from them.

Each partnership between the Duke Energy Foundation and Huntington University has made a tangible investment in the future of the agriculture workforce, providing resources for tomorrow’s animal and crop scientists, teachers, veterinary nurses, policymakers and environmental stewards who will make their careers in Indiana and around the world.

“The Haupert Institute for Agricultural Studies is extremely grateful to the Duke Energy Foundation for the continued support,” said Nate Perry, managing director of the Haupert Institute. “Their investment in our students will greatly impact the workforce as these students work in the ag education, precision agriculture and the veterinary medicine sectors. For those majoring in ag education, we know the impact will also be realized as those individuals teach, lead and work with junior high and high school students as well.”

“We appreciate the opportunity to support Huntington University and the next generation of agriscience professionals,” said Duke Energy Government and Community Relations Manager Jennifer Jordan. “One of the most important investments we can make is in the people and communities we serve. By providing access to industry materials and technology, we hope to help create opportunities for students to thrive and reach their full potential through hands-on learning.”