Article posted Oct. 27, 2008

ENERGY CLUB MEMBERSHIP SURGES
By Maddy Foxx

FORT WORTH, Texas--- A student-run organization has turned into the second largest and fastest growing TCU club. TCU students Ben Voigt and Justin Lapotent created the TCU Energy Club last spring in order to inform the student body about the energy, oil and gas industry.

The idea for the club originated when Voigt and Lapotent realized TCU did not have any clubs that discussed the issue of energy, oil and gas in a time when knowledge of these aspects were in high demand. The TCU Energy Club is a resource tool for students. The club presents job opportunities at energy related industries and educates members about this business field.

When Voigt and Lapotent started the club their expectations were not as high as the outcome they have received within the past few months.

The club started small and has now grown to about 230 members. The TCU Energy Club has had a positive reaction from not only students, but employers around town as well.

“We have a resume book with all of the members’ resumes as well as tours of different companies which help members find jobs for the future,” Voigt, co-founder of TCU energy group, said.

The TCU energy group has received support from the Energy Institute, Neeley School of Business, College of Science, as well as other area oil, gas, and energy companies.

On Oct. 6, the TCU Energy Club had guest speaker Larry Dale, president and CEO of Dale Resources L.L.C., speak in the Brown-Lupton University Union. Dale, one of the leading producers of natural gas in the Barnett Shale area, spoke to the TCU energy club as well as other students and faculty.

Both Voigt and Lapotent helped set up the visit from Dale and were pleased with the turn out of the event. The area set up for the speaker held about 200 people, and approximately 150 came to hear Dale speak.

“I think the meeting with Larry Dale went really well. It shows how much support we have and he gave a really honest approach about the ups and downs of the business,” Lapotent said.

The energy club has also had speakers such as Larry Brogdon, partner and geologist at Fort Worth-based Four Sevens, speak this semester in order to further the knowledge of TCU Energy Club members.

Voigt and Lapotent have said the creation as well as the success of their rapidly growing club would not have been possible without Dr. Ken Morgan, director of operations for the TCU Energy Institute. The Energy Institute offers opportunities in geology, engineering, environmental science and land management, and has given the TCU Energy Club its full support.

“We have about 20 board members from the Energy Institute supporting us, which has helped the club get off to a good start,” Lapotent said.

Voigt echoed his appreciation.

“We want to learn from the top executives and the board members have made learning from them first hand possible,” Voigt said.

The TCU Energy Club’s next speaker will be Ross Perot Jr., chairman of Hillwood Development Company, LLC. Hillwood Development Company is ranked among the top developers in the United States and as one of the top commercial and residential developers in North Texas, according to Dallas Business Journal.

The co-founders hope Perot will provide an informational lecture and bring further knowledge to the TCU energy club members. Perot will speak at 6 p.m. Monday in the Brown-Lupton University Union.

Maddy Foxx is available at m.e.foxx@tcu.edu

ISSUES:

Oct. 6, 2008
Oct. 27, 2008
Nov. 10, 2008
Nov. 24, 2008