{"id":1570,"date":"2011-08-25T14:59:06","date_gmt":"2011-08-25T14:59:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/?p=1570"},"modified":"2026-03-14T17:35:53","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T21:35:53","slug":"enter-to-learn-depart-to-serve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/energyexchange\/2011\/08\/25\/enter-to-learn-depart-to-serve\/","title":{"rendered":"“Enter To Learn. Depart To Serve”"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Michelle Williams, 2011 EDF Climate Corps Public Sector Fellow at Winston-Salem State University, MBA, Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC<\/strong><\/p>\n

My fellowship brought me to the illustrious institution of Winston-Salem State University (WSSU). A two time graduate of WSSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance, and a Master of Business Administration degree, I found it an honor to be assigned to my alma mater. The University\u2019s motto, \u201cEnter to Learn. Depart to Serve,\u201d is very wise and has a great meaning. Serve (v.), means to be in service of, pay homage, work actively, provide, and help. In other words, to serve could be understood to be a selfless act, thinking not only of yourself but also the betterment\/well-being of others. My assignment for the summer was just that.<\/p>\n

Efforts to become environmentally aware and practice energy conservation, preservation, and sustainability measures require selfless behavioral acts that positively affect the environment. Individuals consider how they can inspire others to be aware so that generations to come have a healthy environment in which to live. This made me realize that the most important contributor to the success of WSSU\u2019s environmental consciousness would be behavioral change. Of the several projects we recommend, the one most important to me was increasing institutional engagement and educating the faculty\/staff and students in hopes to jeer a successful energy conservation movement.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I sought to get the institution excited about energy conservation. Often people fail to participate due to lack of knowledge. Simply informing people about the amount of energy wasted from one light left on and the impact it can cause could result in changes in one\u2019s behavior.\u00a0 Inform, intrigue, engage became the concept behind getting the University involved. Steps to WSSU\u2019s sustainable future:<\/p>\n