Auburn University recognized as 2015 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School

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The U.S. Department of Education recently recognized Auburn University as a 2015 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School in the Postsecondary Sustainability Award category. Auburn was one of nine colleges or universities honored nationally in the inaugural group of higher education institutions.

"Auburn has a longstanding commitment to sustainability," said Mike Kensler, director of Auburn’s Office of Sustainability. "It is gratifying that our work is being recognized by the U.S. Department of Education."

The U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools recognition award is an outreach initiative that promotes best practices, resources and multi-agency, multi-sector collaborations at the federal, state and school levels. Auburn was the only university in the state of Alabama recognized for the Postsecondary Sustainability Award.

As a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School, Auburn is recognized as an institution of higher education that reduces environmental impacts and costs; improves the health and wellness of students and staff; and provides environmental education that effectively incorporates civic skills, green career pathway opportunities and the STEM disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

At the postsecondary level, these practices help to support the goals of reduced college costs, increased completion rates, higher rates of employment and robust civic skills among graduates.

On Wednesday, June 3, Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education; Christy Goldfuss, managing director of the White House Council on Environmental Quality; and Louisa Koch, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Education director honored the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools, District Sustainability Awardees and Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees in Washington, D.C.

In February, Auburn was the first university to receive the 2015 Alabama Green Ribbon Schools Award. The Alabama Green Ribbon School flag flew on campus in acknowledgement of the national awards ceremony on Wednesday.

"Being awarded the Postsecondary Sustainability Award will spur us on to further accomplishments," Kensler said.

A list of selected schools and districts, as well as their nomination packages, can be found at this link: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/index.html

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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.