Award Week for the ‘Ville

Millersville University will be well represented this week in Washington, D.C., to pick up their award from the U.S. Department of Education as a Green Ribbon School. MU is one of only four honorees in the “Postsecondary Sustainability Award” category nationwide, and the only Pennsylvania university to be honored. Nationally, 35 schools, 14 school districts, and four postsecondary institutions will be honored for their sustainability efforts.

Attending the ceremony on behalf of Millersville will be; Chris Steuer, sustainability director; Dr. Michael Jackson, dean of the College of Science and Technology; Pat Weidinger, director, Safety & Environmental Health, Arianna Camel, interim assistant director for the Center for Health Education and Promotion; and MU student, Mamie Covell.

This prestigious designation is awarded by U.S. Department of Education to honor innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health and wellness, and ensure effective sustainability education. Millersville was recognized in particular for the sustainability efforts demonstrated by the construction of and programs offered in the Lombardo Welcome Center, the university’s first net zero energy building.

“Millersville University is honored to be named a 2019 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Postsecondary Sustainability Awardee. This recognition shows our University’s commitment to a sustainable future, both on campus and in the wider Lancaster community,” said Millersville President, Dr. Daniel Wubah.

The U.S. Department of Education also identified MU’s goal of being carbon neutral by 2040, development of a climate action plan, completion of an electrical infrastructure upgrade, and a combination of longstanding efforts and new initiatives as reasons why the University was selected for this honor. In their “Highlights from the 2019 Honorees” packet, they state, “While the Lombardo Welcome Center demonstrates Millersville’s commitment to environmental performance and sustainability in a built structure, the university’s efforts extend beyond this single building.”

“This award speaks to all of the hard work that Millersville’s faculty, staff and students have done through a variety of efforts to become more sustainable,” says Sustainability Director Chris Steuer. “It captures our work to restore the environment as well as improve human health and well-being, and values the role of education in achieving both.”

The list of all selected schools, districts, colleges, and universities, as well as their nomination packages, can be found here. A report with highlights on the 53 honorees can be found here. More information on the federal recognition award can be found here.

For more information on Millersville University’s sustainability efforts, visit www.millersville.edu/sustainability.