Currently: 56°F
Millersville University (MU) has been recognized as a finalist for the 2019 Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s (AASHE) “Campus Sustainability Achievement Award” among institutions with under 10,000 FTE Enrollment. Winners will be announced in mid-September and recognized during the AASHE Conference & Expo in Spokane, Washington on Oct. 27.
Millersville was recognized for the creation of the Positive Energy Fund, which leverages the positive energy performance, utility rebates and cost savings from the zero energy Lombardo Welcome Center to support community projects that advance the Global Goals for Sustainable Development.
“This recognition by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education is such an honor,” says Sustainability Director Chris Steuer. “It really demonstrates the commitment to sustainability here at Millersville, not only through the creation of the Lombardo Welcome Center, but also through the use and redistribution of those energy savings to strengthen the university community and larger Lancaster community’s alignment with sustainability efforts that could positively impact the future.”
The Positive Energy Fund provides micro-grants of up to $2,500 for MU faculty, staff and students projects that raise awareness of the interconnected economic, social and environmental challenges facing the world. The fund’s first winners were announced during MU’s annual Earth Week events. The winners were awarded over $10,000 to support their projects.
In the “Campus Sustainability Achievement Award” for institutions with under 10,000 FTE Enrollment category, Millersville is a finalist along with the University of California, Merced and Royal Roads University. Finalists’ entries will be judged on overall impact, innovation, stakeholder involvement, clarity and other criteria specific to each category.
“The higher education sustainability community continues to stay focused on work that contributes toward a thriving, equitable and ecologically healthy world. This is most evident through the entries received for the AASHE Sustainability Awards,” said Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser. “I am happy that we can recognize the innovation and leadership demonstrated by this year’s finalists.”
To learn more about AASHE’s Sustainability Awards programs, please visit http://www.aashe.org/get-involved/awards/.
About AASHE
AASHE empowers higher education administrators, faculty, staff and students to be effective change agents and drivers of sustainability innovation. AASHE enables members to translate information into action by offering essential resources and professional development to a diverse, engaged community of sustainability leaders. We work with and for higher education to ensure that our world’s future leaders are motivated and equipped to solve sustainability challenges. For more information, visit www.aashe.org. Follow AASHE on Facebook and Twitter.
