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Lewis students strive to improve their environment during “Come Clean, Go Green” contest

On April 18, º£½ÇÉçÇø’s Environment and Energy Conservation Council hosted the second annual “Come Clean, Go Green” program, involving a ceremony, guest speaker and the announcement of the student sustainability contest winners. The goal of the sustainability contest is for students to create proposals for projects that will positively impact the environment, improve quality of life and be implemented by º£½ÇÉçÇø during Spring 2011.

Allen LaPointe of the John G. Shedd Aquarium delivered a presentation on water conservation, illustrating how water is the most unique life-giving molecule. He encouraged his audience to think about better ways to conserve water, as bottled water prevents natural replenishing of water. According to LaPointe, “clean, disease-free fresh water is considered one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century.” He shared that reducing water use, collecting rainwater, supporting legislation and thinking differently are all actions that people can take to decrease the problems created by overuse.

Patrick Smith earned $1,000 for his first place finish with “A Step Towards Green Organic Chemistry.” This proposal discusses how to implement eco-friendly ideas such as green organic chemistry into the organic chemistry labs at º£½ÇÉçÇø. It suggests sustainable and greener experiments for labs that will decrease the ecological footprint of the chemistry department, reduce safety risks and be more frugal.

Travis McKinney received $500 for his “Just Walk” Campaign, which came in second place. This proposal encourages students and faculty of º£½ÇÉçÇø to walk or bike rather than drive from one point on campus to another, which saves money on fuel, improves environmental quality, and promotes a healthier lifestyle. Through the use of signs with facts posted on them about how driving negatively affects the environment and how walking has numerous positive health benefits, the “Just Walk” campaign will encourage students and staff to leave their cars parked.

There was a three-way tie for third place, resulting in each individual earning $250 to be used towards his or her project. The “º£½ÇÉçÇø Green Coffee Mug Program” proposal by Michael Hauer will decrease waste, increase revenue and promote sustainability at Lewis through reusable Green Coffee Mugs. The coffee mugs will have an attractive º£½ÇÉçÇø logo, be sold in black or red mugs and have a Green Lewis logo. Students will be given incentives to use the mugs, which will reduce the number of paper cups sent to landfills.

Ross Goers’ waste audit proposal, “Reduce Waste and Increase Recycling,” consists of him conducting a study to determine the recyclable items that students tend to not recycle, and then create posters reminding people that those particular items can indeed be recycled.

Mary Pellicore’s “Green Stop” proposal suggests that an air compressor with a small weatherproof covering be made available to students and faculty to increase fuel efficiency for commuters. This will reduce carbon emissions and improve environmental quality.

All entries were judged by Dr. Jerry Kavouras, assistant professor of biology, Brother Thomas Dupré, FSC, associate professor of mathematics and computer science, Ken Osmun, Group President for Wight Construction, Dr. James Rago, assistant professor of biology, Dr. Jennifer Consilio, associate professor of English, Donald Castello, director of facilities, and Steven Zlatic, associate director of university ministry.

To conclude the event, a drawing was held for the winners of “Caught Recycling,” which included raffle prizes for people who were found recycling on campus.

Sponsored by the University Environmental and Energy Conservation Council, this event was also presented as a part of º£½ÇÉçÇø’s Arts & Ideas Program, providing cultural and educational programming for students and the community. For additional information, please contact either Dr. Jerry Kavouras at (815) 836-5723 or Dr. Simone Muench at (815) 836-5554.

º£½ÇÉçÇø is a Catholic university offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 6,000 traditional and adult students. Lewis offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis prepares ethically grounded, globally aware, and socially responsible graduates. The ninth largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, Lewis has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report.