Subject: University of Houston & Energy Marketing Institute

=09Greetings, my name is Rodney Derbigny and I am in the Associate / Analys= t program here at Enron.
I'm writing because yesterday I attended the Univ= ersity of Houston 2001 Bauer College of Business Scholarship Dinner and I w= as surprised by the non-representation or presence of Enron at the banquet = other than myself.
I graduated from the University of Houston with a BBA i= n MIS this past May and I'm curious to know why Enron is not more involved = with U of H.  I know Enron is vastly involved in the community and institut= ions of higher learning, but I want to know if we can put a little more eff= ort into relationship our with U of H.  Being that a large number of employ= ees within this corporation have an affiliation or graduated from this fine=  university, I believe we would only be limiting ourselves and failing to c= apture the vast abundance of talent that attends this school.
=20  =09Last night and at the career fair last week, I had the pleasure of meeti= ng Dean Arthur Warga, Assistant Dean Bob Casey, and Associate Vice Chancell= or Spencer Yantis.
These gentlemen informed me of the College of Business'= s new endeavors and direction, especially the Energy Marketing Institute.
= I was informed that a presentation has been made to Enron regarding the Ene= rgy Marketing Institute, but the progress of the relationship is still on h= old.
I respectfully request that Enron begin taking this opportunity into = a serious consideration because of the vast opportunities it will provide f= or this company and the University.
At the banquet, a number of our curren= t industry competitors were represented and have either become involved or = voiced an intense desire to take advantage of the program.
Namely, Dynegy,=  Duke Energy, El Paso Energy, ExxonMobil, and BP Amoco were represented at = the banquet.
With the name recognition Enron possess within the city of Ho= uston and the desire it fuels within the hearts of students to become a par= t of the Enron team, it is unfortunate that we are not as involved as we co= uld be.
Enron is doing a great multitude of excellent things, but I believ= e we can become better and do more.
If we are truly seeking to become the = World's Leading company, we must capitalize off opportunities as such.
The=  Energy Marketing Institute at the Bauer College of Business will fuel and = drive our future by preparing students to enter into the business in which = we have made our mark and redefined the standards, Energy Marketing.
=09As a UH Alumnus, I want to encourage Enron's relationship development ac= tivities with UH.
I truly hope we take advantage of the vast number of tal= ented students U of H is preparing and become more heavily involved buildin= g an enduring relationship with this University, outside of just simple rec= ruiting at a Career Fair.
There are numerous opportunities awaiting to be = captured at UH, but if we do not realize this, the talent that is eagerly w= aiting to become a part of the Enron team will go elsewhere.
The academic p= rogram at U of H is not only what makes it a fine institution, but the fact=  that U of H possesses a student body that is reflective of Enron itself.
= The diversity of the university develops students who are culturally aware,=  understand the meaning of dedication and commitment (most students work an= d attend school), and who are fueled by an innovative, entrepreneurial mind= set; all of the elements upon which we focus.
We need to take advantage = of the access we have to U of H and position ourselves for the future by gr= asping hold of the students and opportunities at U of H.  Students graduate=  from the Bauer College of Business well-rounded, prepared to enter any are= na of the workplace; from Marketing and Management to Information Technolog= y and Finance, and ready to assume roles as the future executives and leade= rs of tomorrow.
=09If there is anything I can do to assist in strengthening the relationshi= ps between Enron and my Alma Mata or demonstrating the importance of this n= eed, please let me know.
I trust these words will not be viewed as offensi= ve or taken lightly, but that they inspire change.
Enron can truly make a = profound impact on the campus of the University of Houston, aid in the care= er advancement of new graduates, receive recognition in the community, and = position itself to truly become the World's Leading company.
=20  =09I hope I can be a part of the efforts to build the relationship with U o= f H and make the vision Enron has become a reality.
Thank you and take car= e.  Respectfully,  =20