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DURHAM, N.C. – Simon B. Rich Jr., chairman of the board of visitors of the Nicholas School, was presented the 2004 Charles A. Dukes Award for Outstanding Service to 91�������� at the university’s Founder’s Day ceremony, September 30.

The award recognizes individuals who have tirelessly volunteered their time and expertise to help the university and its students.

Rich was cited not only for his leadership as chairman of the Nicholas School’s Board of Visitors, but also for his commitment to the education of the school’s students and their future careers.

Last year, he voluntarily initiated, planned and taught a course, “Energy and the Environment.” In the class, which he is teaching again this year, Rich draws upon his professional expertise and experience as former chairman of Louis Dreyfus Natural Gas to lead students on an exploration of how the United States can shift from its reliance on hydrocarbon-based energy sources to more environmentally friendly sustainable sources.

To augment his own expertise, he brings in other executives from the energy industry as guest speakers, and each year leads his students on a field trip to Houston, Texas, where they meet with managers and scientists from many of the nation’s top energy companies.

“Simon brings a real-world practicality to his classroom, but it’s coupled with a deep respect for scholarly research and an appreciation for the critical role university research can play in solving the energy issue,” says William H. Schlesinger, dean of the Nicholas School. “He’s an invaluable resource to our students.”