UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Andrew Kleit, professor of energy and environmental economics at Penn State recently received a United States Association for Energy Economics (USAEE) Senior Fellow Award at the USAEE annual conference in Denver, held in November.

The recognition honors individuals who have exemplified distinguished service in the field of energy economics. Kleit, a professor in the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering, was the founding program chair of the Energy Business and Finance (EBF) program, created in 2004. This major focuses on business-oriented classes in the energy sector.

“Kleit’s efforts in starting the EBF program at Penn State, which is a one-of-a-kind program, coupled with his passion for developing new leaders in the field of energy is exemplary,” said Shree Vikas, director of market intelligence and business analysis at ConocoPhillips and former USAEE president. “This is the first time that USAEE has recognized someone specifically for their contributions to education in the field of energy economics.”

The EBF program has graduated 1,200 students, and its alumni have gone on to work at major companies, including American Electric Power, BP, Citigroup, Community Energy, ConocoPhillips, Direct Energy, Exelon Corporation, FirstEnergy, General Electric and Vanguard.

“Many of those graduates have gone on to successful careers in the electricity, natural gas, oil and finance fields, while others have moved into different areas,” Kleit said. “The EBF program has created a presence for Penn State across the energy fields, and our alumni have created a great reputation for the University in these areas.”

Also instrumental in development of the EBF program were Penn State President Eric Barron, then dean of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences; William Brune, former head of the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences; Yaw Yeboah, former head of the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering; and David Christie, then associate dean for undergraduate affairs in the Smeal College of Business.

“I am honored to be named a senior fellow by USAEE,” Kleit said. “It is a thrill to be recognized by my professional organization. I really owe a debt of thanks to the many people who helped make the EBF major possible.”