In recognition of its sustainability efforts, Westminster College has been named a Utah Business 2011 Green Business award winner. The award honoring "Green Education" was presented to the college at a ceremony on November 17 in Salt Lake City.
The college is committed to engaging the campus community in both the theory and practice of sustainability. This effort supports both Westminster's college-wide learning goals and helps students become responsible, informed citizens. Over the past six years, Westminster has created an Environmental Studies major and an Environmental Center on campus to further sustainability education inside and outside the classroom. Additionally, the college has worked to transform campus buildings and grounds from places where learning happens to actual tools for environmental learning. Westminster recently opened the 60,000 -square-foot Meldrum Science Center - the first LEED® Platinum certified campus building in the state of Utah. The building contains integrated research lab classrooms and advanced research labs to give students an active learning experience.
In 2004, Westminster's strategic plan identified widespread student and faculty interest and expertise related to the environment. Since that time, the college has worked to become a leader in promoting environmental awareness on campus and in the community. Through sustainable building demonstrations like the Meldrum Science Center, visiting experts like Hunter Lovins and Robert F. Kennedy Jr, and our annual SLC Bioneers Conference, Westminster serves as an environmental learning resource for our students and the larger Utah community.
"We are excited that Utah Business has recognized our sustainability efforts and commitment to green education," said Kerry Case, Westminster's Environmental Center director. "As an institution of higher learning, Westminster College is committed to providing active, engaged learning about our local and global environment."
