Students at the University of Oregon Lundquist College of Business, in partnership with start-up Arcimoto, showcased an innovative electric vehicle, the Pulse, in the Lillis Business Complex rotunda on November 19, 2009.

The Sustainable Business Group and the Women in Business student clubs organized the event around a project in which honors students worked with Arcimoto to develop a funding proposal for a Lane County Community and Economic Development Program grant. The students presented the proposal during an in-class presentation attended by Lane County staff. After the presentation, the entire class proceeded to the Lillis Business Complex rotunda to see the Pulse and ask questions.

The project and event exemplify the many ways students at the Lundquist College work with companies and organizations on real-world projects. In this case, students not only raised awareness for a local firm, but they also helped to advance the state of Oregon's reputation for green business.

“This really gave us an opportunity to not just sit in the classroom and learn all of these ideas, but to actually take some of what we're learning and apply it to a real-life situation," explained participating student Kerry Hinch.

The location in the college's Lillis Business Complex was fitting as the facility's solar arrays, including the photovoltaics in the glass on the front of the building, generate enough electricity to power several Arcimoto Pulses.

Watch the video for more information, including Arcimoto's Trevor Steele, government relations director, reflecting on the value students added to the project.