2018 PERC Campus Sustainability Champions

Kelly Jacobs ’18, an economics major and politics minor, and Dr. Rebecca Urban, associate professor of biology and director of environmental science, were recently named 2018 PERC Campus Sustainability Champions. “The Campus Sustainability Champion title is awarded to students, faculty, administrators, and staff of Pennsylvania colleges and universities who have made meaningful contributions benefiting social, economic and/or environmental sustainability on their campus, in their community, or in society at large. Contributions can be in areas of teaching, research, co-curricular programs, campus culture, community service, and campus operations, including food recovery.”

Kelly was nominated for her work on the Sustainability Advisory Committee (SAC) and as a SAC data intern, compiling the College’s Annual Carbon Footprint. Kelly also founded the student Environmental Club and served as its president for several years. Kelly will graduate in May and plans to attend graduate school to continue her studies of sustainability.

Dr. Urban was nominated for her work on the Sustainability Advisory Committee and for leading the creation of the environmental science major. She is the driving force behind the annual Earth Days activities, and was instrumental in developing the environmental science major and curriculum. In addition, she created the proposal to designate 20 acres on the north side of campus as the Wood Thrush Research Preserve. The new serves as an academic resource for faculty and students. Preserving the area will open up even more opportunities for future classes, individual research, and environmental initiatives.