Sustainability awards celebrates 10 years

A mobile market, a solar-powered pump and efforts to reduce water consumption are just some examples of the innovative and thoughtful work being done in the areas of sustainability at Grand Valley and in West Michigan. The individuals behind those projects and others were recognized March 23 at the 10th annual Sustainability Champion Awards. 

The zero-waste awards ceremony took place in the Kirkhof Center and celebrated nearly 50 students, faculty, staff members and community members who practice sustainability and use a triple-bottom line approach (social, environment, economic) to solving problems and issues. 

Anne Hiskes, dean of the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies, congratulated award recipients. 

"Sustainability is a core value at Grand Valley and permeates campus — from student life to curriculum to facilities," said Hiskes. 

Among the award recipients were university arborist Steve Snell and Dave Faulkner of Kent Design and Manufacturing, who worked together to make the awards that were given to recipients. The pen holders were made out of recycled wood from fallen ash trees on the Allendale Campus. 

Allison Sutter, sustainability manager for the City of Grand Rapids, discussed the university's important and ongoing partnership with the City of Grand Rapids. Sutter employs two Grand Valley student interns. 

At the event, Michael Hinkle was named the second award recipient of the Dave Feenstra Sustainable Agriculture Project Internship Scholarship. The fund was established in memory of Dave Feenstra, longtime staff member and adjunct manager for the Sustainability Agriculture Project, who died in December 2015. Feenstra’s wife and four daughters attended the ceremony.

Recipients of the Nichols Sustainability Scholarship were also recognized at the luncheon. The scholarship was created in 2006 to reward students who are committed to making a difference in environmental, social and fiscal sustainability.

President Thomas J. Haas provided closing remarks and said the university's commitment to sustainability stems from students. 

"We listened to our students and now faculty, staff and students are driving a culture of sustainability on campus," he said. 

The Environmental and Sustainability Studies Student Showcase of presentations and posters took place in conjunction with the awards luncheon. 

The annual event is hosted by the Office of Sustainability Practices. Learn more at www.gvsu.edu/sustainability.