Liberal Arts Grads Lead Solar Energy Revolution in U.S.

An English major is now writing the playbook for solar energy policy in Illinois, and it's working.

Conner Rettig graduated from Willamette University in 2017 with a degree in English. Today, he helps Illinois residents access cleaner energy through policy incentives, using storytelling skills to make complex energy policy understandable to communities, even skeptics.

He's not alone. Five Willamette graduates recently shared how their liberal arts education equipped them to tackle one of the world's most pressing challenges: transitioning to renewable energy.

Solar panels are expected to account for 80% of renewable energy growth through 2030. But the technology, policy, and politics shift constantly. "We're on a solar coaster," Rettig said. "Nothing is ever static. But there's always opportunity."

Marshall Curry studied sociology, chemistry, and Spanish before entering sustainability education and state government. His ability to break complex systems into parts helps him solve solar challenges faster than colleagues who lack that analytical framework.

Jessica Dusek earned her MBA from Willamette and now manages projects at SolAmerica Energy. She helps farmers and landowners install solar panels on their properties, bridging renewable energy and agriculture.

History major Peter Wyrsch applies his research skills to help utilities prevent wildfires fueled by climate change. He approaches problems by finding primary sources rather than relying on opinions, tackling community protection one document at a time.

Elizabeth Gill has worked in federal government and private sector renewable energy. She credits her Politics, Policy, Law and Ethics professor with teaching her to always ask "so what?" That ability to cut through noise has guided her through multiple career transitions.

The Ripple Effect

The Pacific Northwest is emerging as a bright spot for climate action despite federal policy uncertainty. State and local governments continue supporting renewable energy initiatives, creating opportunities for the next generation of problem solvers.

"This region is much better positioned to keep this work going," Gill said during the recent Willamette University Sustainability Network panel.

The energy sector needs more than technical experts. It needs communicators, analysts, historians, and storytellers who can translate complex challenges into actionable solutions. "The energy space can be quite intimidating because it's a very technical world, but you don't necessarily need to be a deep technical expert," Gill explained.

Deep technical experts need graduates who can ask the right questions and push projects across the finish line. Liberal arts students learn exactly those skills through interdisciplinary courses and hands-on research in environmental science and sustainability.

The Willamette motto guides these changemakers: "Not unto ourselves alone are we born." They're applying that principle to build sustainable institutions and prepare the world to fight climate change.

These five graduates prove that fighting climate change isn't just for engineers and scientists—it's for anyone willing to think critically, communicate clearly, and ride the solar coaster toward a brighter future.