Campus members, mayor celebrated at sustainability awards

Sustainability champions on and off campus were celebrated at the seventh annual Grand Valley Sustainability Champions Awards Breakfast April 10.  

Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell received the Legacy Award, a new award that was presented on behalf of the West Michigan community and the Grand Rapids Community Sustainability Partnership (CSP), a network of more than 200 organizations committed to sustainability practices. Thirty-two students, faculty, staff members and community members were recognized for their efforts and impact.

“Mayor Heartwell has played a big role in bringing the sustainability community together in West Michigan,” said Norman Christopher, executive director of the Grand Valley Office of Sustainability Practices. “He helped establish CSP, and set sustainability goals for the city of Grand Rapids so we can live in a better place today and tomorrow.” 

Heartwell said those who live in a sustainable manner are part of a community that continues to build and challenge each other, which is the type of relationship Grand Rapids enjoys with Grand Valley.  

Four recipients of the Nichols Sustainability Scholarship were also recognized at the breakfast. The scholarship was created in 2006 to reward students who are committed to making a difference in environmental, social and fiscal sustainability. Nichols, established in 1936, is a distributor of products to clean and protect the Great Lakes region.

New this year was a student showcase of sustainability-related course work and research.