Nearly 130 participants attended the inaugural symposium of the Texas A&M Energy Institute on January 20, 2015. Following opening remarks by the Vice President for Research, Dr. Glen A. Laine, the vision and mission of the Texas A&M Energy Institute were presented by Professor Floudas. The Colleges of Engineering, Science, Agricultural & Life Sciences, Geosciences, Architecture, Liberal Arts, the Bush School and Mays Business School were represented at the symposium, where faculty self-selected break-out sessions to discuss and identify 3-5 of the most important research topics or goals in each research area. Professor Floudas also outlined the Texas A&M Energy Institute’s goal to educate the next generation of leaders in energy through its new professional “Master of Science in Energy” degree program and the “Certificate in Energy” program.