UAF students honored for sustainability efforts

April 21, 2011

Marmian Grimes
907-474-7902
4/21/11

Three University of Alaska Fairbanks students will be recognized for their efforts to encourage campus sustainability with the first UAF Green Carpet Awards Friday, April 22 at 6 p.m. in Schaible Auditorium on the UAF campus. UAF Chancellor Brian Rogers will present the awards, which recognize students who have demonstrated leadership in advancing sustainability on campus. The students receiving the awards are:

Heather Currey, a sophomore in biology, is the chair of the student sustainability board and president of the Sustainable Campus Task Force. Currey helped organize campus sustainability events like the Earth Day Fair, the campus bike fest and the sustainable living conference. She also volunteers at green community events such as the Interior Alaska Green Star recycling event and clean-up days.

Ryan Good is a senior psychology major and the current recycling director for the Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. As a member of the Sustainable Campus Task Force, he has helped organize the Earth Day Fair and obtained funding to purchase energy efficiency devices for campus vending machines.

Jessie Huff, a senior working toward an interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree in renewable energy in rural Alaska, has worked on many sustainability projects, including a proposal for the campus’ first-large scale solar project. She also received funds to develop a carbon footprint and an energy dashboard for more than 20 campus buildings.

The awards ceremony is part of a series of campus events in recognition of Earth Week 2011. Other events included a lights-out competition among the residence halls, a recyclable art show and craft night, and lectures and films on sustainability.

On Saturday, April 23, UAF will kick off its “Green Bike” program at 10 a.m. The program allows UAF students to rent bikes for free. UAF will also host an Earth Day Fair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both events will take place at Lola Tilly Commons.

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Michele Hebert, UAF sustainability director, at 907-474-5070 or mahebert@alaska.edu

ON THE WEB: www.uaf.edu/sustainability/

SJM/4-21-11/206-11