Benedict College Commits to Campus Modernization
Facilities improvement measures support clean, comfortable, and connected environment for current and prospective students
Benedict College installs new energy-saving HVAC systems to improve air quality in its dormitories. Image via Benedict College
Columbia, South Carolina — Benedict College, a highly regarded and exceptionally ranked Historically Black College and University (HBCU) serving students since 1870, has reinforced the college’s continued commitment to students and the community via campus improvements to support higher education opportunities. The initiative commenced with construction in spring 2023 and is part of a larger initiative to transform Benedict’s campus.
With the support of Siemens, a technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare, and MD Energy Advisors, a commercial, utility, and financing energy solutions company, the college’s plans have become a reality. The three organizations initiated a collaborative effort in December 2021 to outline a path forward to reinforce Benedict’s commitment to providing transformative learning experiences characterized by high quality academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular programming, intentionally designed to develop superior cultural and professional competencies for a diverse student body.
“It was our honor to serve as an ally to the team at Benedict College to support this initiative,” said Michele Mitch-Peterson, Account Executive, Siemens Smart Infrastructure USA.
“As an HBCU graduate, this collaboration and project mean so much to me and the entire team at MD Energy Advisors,” said Paul Clary, Co-founder. “We look forward to witnessing firsthand the impact these modernization initiatives have on the current student body and faculty as well as prospective students for years to come.”
In just a few months, the plan that has been carefully developed to maximize alignment and incorporation of best practices will transition into on-campus implementation. This will support the college’s vision to be a leader in providing transformative learning experiences for a diverse student body. The modernization program includes the development of comprehensive infrastructure improvements campus-wide including, but not limited to:
- Improving indoor air quality
- Enhancing comfort with a focus on the dormitories
- Supporting energy efficient and sustainable operations
- Reducing ongoing energy, operations, and maintenance costs
“We are committed to this initiative, to our community, to our students, to our staff and to our industry. We hope our actions will inform the decision-making processes of other similarly situated HBCUs as we all strive to be the best we possibly can be,” said Roslyn Clark Artis, JD, EdD, President and CEO, Benedict College. “Just as students look to educators to support the next step on their journey, we looked to our trusted teammates, Siemens and MD Energy Advisors, to guide us in order for us to make the most informed and best decisions for our students.”
About Benedict College
Founded in 1870 by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, Benedict College is a private co-educational liberal arts institution, offering 26 competitive baccalaureate degree programs. The Midlands HBCU welcomes students from all 46 counties in South Carolina, 30 states across America, and 26 countries around the world. The College also has a diverse faculty and importantly, 80 percent of courses are taught by full-time faculty.
Benedict College has been highly regarded and exceptionally ranked for its programs by several academic and traditional publications. For example, Benedict College was ranked as one of the top baccalaureate colleges in the nation by Washington Monthly magazine for creating social mobility and producing cutting-edge scholarship and research. In 2019, Benedict College received the 2019 ACE/ Fidelity Investments Awards for Institutional Transformation and was named the HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest. Benedict College was listed among the top half of ranked HBCUs in the Best Colleges edition by US News and World Report.
Benedict College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Five of the College’s degree programs and schools hold national accreditation: Social Work Program, Environmental Health Science Program, Environmental Engineering Program, Studio Art Program, and the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship
About MD Energy Advisors
MD Energy Advisors is a client-centric energy management firm providing solutions to utilities, private companies and higher education clients. Since 2010, the Company has identified opportunities to reduce energy-related operating expenses, outlined and implemented strategies that improve environmental impact and provided financial vehicles to help execute these strategies for customers throughout the country. MD Energy Advisors’ solutions have demonstrated improved quality and costs savings, including identifying innovative financing solutions for energy-related projects that meet clients’ strategic Siemens Corporationand funding needs. For more information, please visit www.MDEnergyAdvisors.com.
About Siemens
Siemens Smart Infrastructure (SI) is shaping the market for intelligent, adaptive infrastructure for today and the future. It addresses the pressing challenges of urbanization and climate change by connecting energy systems, buildings, and industries. SI provides customers with a comprehensive end-to-end portfolio from a single source – with products, systems, solutions, and services from point-of-power generation all the way to consumption. With an increasingly digitalized ecosystem, it helps customers thrive and communities progress while contributing toward protecting the planet. With around 70,000 employees worldwide, Siemens Smart Infrastructure has its global headquarters in Zug, Switzerland, and its U.S. corporate headquarters in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, USA.
Siemens Corporation is a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, a technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare. From more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, and smarter buildings and grids, to cleaner and more comfortable transportation as well as advanced healthcare, the company creates technology with purpose, adding real value for customers. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers its customers to transform their industries and markets, helping them to transform everyday life for billions of people. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a global leading medical technology provider shaping the future of healthcare. In addition, Siemens holds a minority stake in Siemens Energy, a global leader in the transmission and generation of electrical power. In fiscal 2022, which ended on September 30, 2022, Siemens Group USA generated revenue of $18.6 billion and employs approximately 45,000 people serving customers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
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