Foundation Trustee and Alumnus Edward Chow to discuss 'Global Energy Security and Economics' on March 7

Foundation Trustee and alumnus Edward C. Chow (opens in a new window) will visit Ohio University to discuss "Global Energy Security and Economics" on March 7 from 5 to 6 p.m. in Bentley Hall 233.

Chow is an international energy expert with 45 years of industry experience working in Asia, Middle East, Africa, South America, Europe, Russia, Caspian and Black Sea regions. He successfully negotiated multibillion-dollar oil and gas agreements and specializes in investments in emerging economies. He developed government policy and business strategy while advising U.S. and other governments, international financial institutions, major oil companies, and leading multinational corporations.

Chow worked at Chevron Corp. for more than 20 years in overseas and headquarter assignments, including as country manager in China and as head of international external affairs. He is a non-resident senior associate of the Center for Strategic and International Studies and taught at Georgetown and George Washington universities.

Chow graduated from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in economics (opens in a new window) and government in 1971 from the College of Arts and Sciences and a master’s degree in international affairs in 1972 from the Center for International Studies (opens in a new window). This event is co-sponsored by the Economics Department (opens in a new window) and the Political Science Department (opens in a new window) in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Center for International Studies (opens in a new window).

Chow is a past recipient of the College of Arts and Sciences Notable Alumni Award (opens in a new window) and a trustee of the Ohio University Foundation.

Chow was also a Robert and Rene Glidden Visiting Professor (opens in a new window) in the fall of 2017. Chow returned to Athens for two weeks in 2017 to share his professional experience, reflect on the future of his career, and find inspiration for his own writing from the students he met.

He said during his visit (opens in a new window) that he spent his first years in the United States as an Ohio University student, traveling from Hong Kong to Athens at age 16.

“I thought it was a very nurturing environment that allowed me to grow, mature, gain some confidence and learn about this country,” he said about being an OHIO student. “There is probably no better place to learn about America than the Midwest. I think I have a much better sense of America from having spent five years here in Athens.”

"Mr. Chow’s vast experience and expertise continue to benefit our campus community. His Glidden professorship in 2017 had a tremendous impact on our students, and we are thrilled to have him speak to us again on the very critical issue of energy” said Nukhet Sandal (opens in a new window), associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences and associate professor of political science.

Chow and his wife, Charlotte, who earned her bachelor’s degree from OHIO in 1972, established  the Edward and Charlotte Chow Scholarship (opens in a new window) in 2020 to support international students in the College of Arts and Sciences.