by Julie Lineback
The University of West Georgia was recently presented with a 2014 Environmental Excellence Award from Keep Carroll Beautiful in the large business category. UWG President Kyle Marrero and Sustainability Council member Dr. Hannes Gerhardt accepted the award at the Burson Center on Tuesday, December 2.
Left to right: Troy Walker, president of KCB Board of Directors; Dr. Hannes Gerhardt; Dr. Kyle Marrero, UWG president; Jacqueline Dost, KCB executive director
“Creating sustainable operations, environmental and fiscal, are key parts of our university strategic plan as well as playing an integral role in developing a thriving, healthy community,” said Dr. Marrero. “This award is a great honor, one that serves to affirm that our work in these areas is bearing fruit. We so appreciate the recognition and the opportunity to contribute to a brighter future for our university and our region.”
UWG promises to maintain ecological balance in its planning and operations that make possible for future generations the same or better quality of opportunities for success available to present employees and students. The Sustainability Council, originally formed in 2012, helps to identify, share and promote suitability activities and initiatives on campus and in the community.
“I think this award shows the sea of change that has occurred at the university with regard to issues of sustainability and the environment,” said Dr. Gerhardt. “In fact, this award was given to recognize the cultural shift that has taken place with regard to making sustainability an integral part of the university’s planning.”
While many changes have occurred, Gerhardt recognized more remains to be done. The council is already undertaking a thorough inventory of current sustainability practices as well as planning to expand curricular and extra curricular opportunities to engage in sustainability issues and activities. In the coming year, the university also plans to further reduce its carbon and pollution footprint with such initiatives as setting up a bike share and purchasing electronic vehicle charging stations.
“The university aims to become a regional leader in sustainability,” Dr. Gerhardt added. “As this award demonstrates, we are certainly on the right track to achieving this ambitious goal.”
Keep Carroll Beautiful, a Keep America Beautiful affiliate, formed in 2005. The organization helps promote recycling, litter prevention, and environmental education throughout Carroll County.
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