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Corporate Sustainability Program Accepting Applications


Last updated September 28, 2016

By Tina Underwood

As companies become increasingly focused on implementing sustainable business strategies, Furman University offers a program this spring that helps executives manage the challenges associated with operating in a socially conscious business environment.

The intensive, five-session course, which begins January 26, 2017 and ends May 19, 2017, is offered by Furman’s Center for Corporate and Professional Development in collaboration with the David E. Shi Center for Sustainability. Completion of the course leads to a Postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Sustainability. Cost for the course is $3,995 per person.

“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 Dr. Brad Bechtold, Executive Director of Continuing Education at Furman. “It lowers business costs, improves productivity and enhances reputation. This program provides the tools, techniques and strategic thinking businesses need to build a coherent sustainability strategy.”

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

“This program is aimed at business people who are in charge of defining and implementing sustainability initiatives for their organizations,” Bechtold said.  “And since there is a shortage of academic and corporate education programs that provide this kind of knowledge, we believe this program is something the business community will support.”

Upon completion of the program, which includes 70 total contact hours, 7.0 continuing education units will be awarded. Each of the five sessions includes a Thursday (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) and Friday (8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) seminar on the campus of Furman University.

The program will be taught by John Meindl, Senior Associate with the Center for Corporate and Professional Development; Dr. Wade Worthen, Professor of Biology at Furman; Dr. Brad Bechtold, Director of Continuing Education; and Michael Johnson, CEO of Cox Industries, along with other expert speakers.

For more information, contact Furman’s Center for Corporate and Professional Development at 864-294- 3136, or visit the Center’s website.

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