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Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Sustainability class members recognized

James B. Duke Library at Furman University.

Last updated June 23, 2017

By News administrator

The Center for Corporate and Professional Development at Furman University recently recognized the following Class of 2017 graduates of the Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Sustainability:

Class of 2017, Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Sustainability

Jane Arrington, Greenville Water
Mark Borgsteede, Greenville Technical College
Walter Bridgham, WestPoint Home LLC
Linda Clark, Southern Weaving
Robyn Knox, Southern Weaving
Keith Lang, WestPoint Home LLC
Eddie Lanier, WestPoint Home LLC
Rebecca McKinney, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System
Kelly Mezzapelle, City of Myrtle Beach
Lydia Palumbo, Post-baccalaureate Fellow, Furman University
Peter Ramirez, Michelin North America
Chad Russell, Cox Recovery
Shawn Skonieczny, BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC
James Sommese, ScanSource Inc.
Stephanie Stolze, BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC
Michael Wade, Greenville Technical College

“Corporate sustainability is being embraced across the country, not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes business sense,” said Brad Bechtold, executive director of Continuing Education at Furman. “It lowers business costs, improves productivity and enhances reputation.  Our corporate sustainability program provides the tools, techniques and strategic thinking business leaders need to build a coherent sustainability strategy. These outstanding graduates are now armed with the knowledge, skills and ability to make a difference in their organizations and the community.”

Bechtold said the course offers a broad overview of sustainability as well as a detailed review of major practices in sustainability. It also identifies the sustainable business strategies that offer the most effective return on investment and demonstrate how sustainability can become an ongoing strategic business practice.

“Our postgraduate diploma in corporate sustainability is aimed at business people in charge of defining and implementing sustainability initiatives for their organizations,” Bechtold said. “There are many sustainability type educational programs across the country, but none are as comprehensive and business focused as Furman’s program, which will be offered again in the spring of 2018.”

Keith Lang, vice president of WestPoint Home LLC and 2017 graduate of the program said, “In today’s competitive business environment, customers and stakeholders are increasingly demanding that sustainability be a core component of a company’s operations. Companies that fail to recognize this fact risk being left behind. The Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Sustainability provided us with the tools to organize and build on our current sustainability initiatives and effectively communicate these to all of our audiences.”

Peter Ramirez, progress specialist with Michelin NA, said, “The program covered all dimensions of sustainability, exposed us to current best practices and challenges facing businesses and our community, and featured industry-recognized leaders as presenters. In addition to what I now know, I left the program equipped with a network of practitioners and a library of over 1,200 articles and research topics. Whether you are responsible for starting a program or simply sustaining one, I believe this is the best way to start.”

For more information or to register, please contact Dr. Brad Bechtold, Executive Director of Continuing Education at 864-294-3136, or visit the website at www.fusbp.com.

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