KU News Release

KU Center for Sustainability announces leadership award winners

LAWRENCE — The Center for Sustainability at the University of Kansas presented its inaugural Sustainability Leadership Awards on Oct. 24. Fourteen members of the campus community were recognized in three award categories: student, staff and faculty projects.

The awards were given as part of Campus Sustainability Day. They recognize outstanding leadership and creativity in addressing issues of environmental, economic and social responsibility on the KU campus and in the broader community.

The student award was presented to 11 participants in the KU Hillel Everett Tzedek Social Action Project in spring 2007. The project promoted the values of sustainability throughout Hillel programming, encouraged Hillel to implement sustainable business practices in its daily operations and effected change in the broader community. The group also produced a short film that explored local awareness of global climate change. Students involved in the project were senior Bridey Maidhof; juniors Batya Meyer and Rachel Silvestain; sophomores Ellie Dorfman, Jonathan Eisen, Dena Hart, Kim Lear, Justin Leverett, Jess Levy and Megan Nissim; and Claire Steifel, spring 2007 student team member.

Wayne Pearse, building engineer for KU Memorial Unions, received the staff Sustainability Leadership Award. Pearse was recognized for playing a key role in projects to reduce waste and promote a healthier indoor environment at the Kansas Union, including implementing innovative energy conservation measures, supporting a successful recycling program and introducing a green cleaning process that replaces traditional supplies with non-toxic cleaning products.

The third award was presented to Susan Stagg-Williams, associate professor of chemical and petroleum engineering, and Ilya Tabakh, a doctoral student in environmental engineering, for their involvement in the KU Biodiesel Initiative. The project involves the operation of a reactor that converts used cooking oil collected from a campus dining facility into biodiesel fuel. Through this initiative, Williams and Tabakh are creating research opportunities in alternative fuels, developing fuel testing methods that will support local industry and generating a useable fuel source out of materials that would otherwise be discarded as waste.

The awards ceremony was followed by a reception featuring organic and all-natural snack items provided by KU Dining Services, highlighting its MarketFresh pilot concept available at the Market in the Kansas Union. MarketFresh celebrates sustainable farming techniques and educates customers about the importance of sustainable food systems.

Students recognized with awards are listed below by hometown, level in school and major, parents’ names and previous schools attended.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood 66224
Ilya Tabakh, doctoral student in environmental engineering, son of Eugene and Diana Tabakh; master’s degree in computer engineering from KU, spring 2007; bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from KU, spring 2005; Shawnee Mission East High School.

From Overland Park 66214
Bridey Maidhof, senior in American studies, daughter of James and Jill Maidhof; Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village.

From Prairie Village 66208
Claire Stiefel, spring 2007 student team member, daughter of Richard and Marsha Stiefel; Shawnee Mission East High School.

COLORADO
From Englewood 80111
Rachel Silvestain, junior in accounting, daughter of Barry and Regina Silvestain; Cherry Creek High School.

ILLINOIS
From Buffalo Grove 60089
Dena Hart, sophomore in psychology, daughter of Steve and Mendy Hart; Adlai E. Stevenson High School, Lincolnshire, Ill.

From Carbondale 62903
Justin Leverett, sophomore in French and journalism and mass communications (news and information emphasis), son of Thomas Leverett and Elizabeth Herman; Carbondale Community High School.

MINNESOTA
From Minnetonka 55305
Megan Nissim, sophomore in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, daughter of Jack and Jeanne Nissim; Hopkins High School.

From Plymouth 55442
Kim Lear, sophomore in journalism and mass communications (strategic communications emphasis), daughter of Steven and Sheri Lear; Robbinsdale Armstrong High School.

From Savage 55378
Ellie Dorfman, sophomore in biology, daughter of Mikhail and Margarita Dorfman; Burnsville Senior High School, Burnsville, Minn.

MISSOURI
From Chesterfield 63017
Jonathan Eisen, sophomore in political science, son of Rick and Marci Eisen; Parkway Central High School.

TEXAS
From Dallas 75252
Batya Meyer, junior in journalism and mass communications (strategic communications emphasis), daughter of Adrian and Sharon Meyer; Plano West Senior High School, Plano, Texas.

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