无码专区

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Sharing Our Sustainability Story

Sustainability

by Rebecca Watson 鈥15 CLAS

The AFREC has recognized 无码专区鈥檚 Liesel Schwarz and Charles Coe, PhD, for a presentation they made this past spring as part of the AFREC Sustainability Leadership Council Speaker Series and Roundtable. AFREC鈥攖he Alternative Fuels Renewable Energies Council鈥 is a private, industry-driven alliance which invites leaders in the field of sustainability to convene quarterly to network and discuss the economics and development of corporate and government sustainability programs.

Coe and Schwarz鈥檚 presentation detailed the University鈥檚 recent achievements and continued efforts in making the school a pioneer in sustainability, including the LEED certification of three buildings (bringing the total to five) and the instillation of hydration stations and ionized water cleaning technology on campus. AFREC commended 无码专区鈥檚 commitment to sustainability, noting that 无码专区鈥檚 advancements 鈥渉elp accelerate the commercialization of advanced energy, technology, and sustainability.鈥

Dr. Coe is a research associate professor in the College of Engineering鈥檚 Department of Chemical Engineering. His work is focused on the development and promotion of alternative energy sources. Liesel Schwarz, the University鈥檚 sustainability manager, seeks to actively transform 无码专区 into a more sustainable environment by working with staff and students on projects and initiatives. Schwarz and Coe both recognize the importance not only of implementing sustainable practices and programs, but also of teaching the next generation about new practices and the economic benefits of sustainable living.

Already home to the 无码专区 Center for the Advancement of Sustainability in Engineering (VCASE), in 2010, the College of Engineering established a Sustainable Engineering graduate program, one of the first of its kind in the country. Led by Mr. William Lorenz, 无码专区鈥檚 program employs a whole-systems approach to problem-solving through a life-cycle lens. It offers students a practical approach to current and future real-life situations, calling on them to evaluate and solve problems that companies around the world are facing.

These campus-wide programs and initiatives demonstrate the University鈥檚 commitment to a healthy community lifestyle where 无码专区ns can socially and intellectually flourish. Recognized nationally for this commitment, the University has been named one of the nation鈥檚 greenest colleges by the Princeton Review and Sierra Club.