Auburn Office of Sustainability recognizes campus, community efforts with 2017 Spirit of Sustainability Awards
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The Auburn University Office of Sustainability is holding its fifth annual Spirit of Sustainability Awards ceremony on Thursday, April 20, at 3:30 p.m. in the ALFA Pavilion at Ag Heritage Park. These awards recognize the accomplishments of students, faculty, staff and alumni who "exemplify the Auburn spirit by making significant contributions toward sustainability on campus or in the community."
"Author Peter Block wrote '…a citizen is one who is willing to be accountable for and committed to the wellbeing of the whole.' This awards ceremony is an opportunity to recognize some wonderful people who feel accountability and commitment for the wellbeing of others and do something about it," said Mike Kensler, director of the Office of Sustainability.
Recipients were determined by their motivation and commitment to sustainability, impact on behalf of sustainability and the degree to which others were engaged and involved.
The 2017 award recipients are: Hallie Nelson, student recipient in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering; Kaitlin Robb, student recipient in the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business; Lisa Kensler, faculty recipient in the College of Education; Amy Wright, faculty recipient in the College of Agriculture; Don Andre, staff recipient in Parking Services; John Kush, staff recipient in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences; Cindy Lowry, alumna recipient from the Alabama River Alliance; and Jean and Ed Stead, alumni recipients from East Tennessee State University.
Group initiatives also were recognized and included Auburn Outdoors in the Division of Student Affairs, Engineers Without Borders in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering and O Grows, a partnership of the College of Education, Opelika City Schools, Keep Opelika Beautiful Inc. and The Food Bank of East Alabama.
Consideration is given to initiatives in the areas of research, instruction, outreach and operations and campus and community projects which have taken place within the last two years and have made a significant difference in the areas of nature, the economy, society or individual well-being.
"The program was created in part to generate awareness of sustainability initiatives and to acknowledge those who are making significant contributions," Kensler said. "The Spirit of Sustainability Awards program is also intended to inspire further innovations and actions toward a flourishing future."
Mark Wilson of the College of Liberal Arts will provide introductory remarks, and light refreshments will be served immediately following the presentation of the awards.
Media interested in this story can contact Communications Director Preston Sparks at (334) 844-9999 or preston.sparks@auburn.edu.
Auburn University is a nationally ranked land grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary research with an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 classification, life-changing outreach with Carnegie’s Community Engagement designation and an undergraduate education experience second to none. Auburn is home to more than 30,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful scholarship, science and technology-based advancements that meet pressing regional, national and global needs. Auburn’s commitment to active student engagement, professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact.
