KU News Release

Center for Sustainability announces leadership award winners

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Center for Sustainability presented its annual Sustainability Leadership Awards on Nov. 11, recognizing faculty, staff and students who have exhibited outstanding leadership and creativity in addressing environmental, economic and social responsibility on the KU campus and beyond.

Awards were presented in five categories to individuals and campus projects.

Anna Hoard, a senior from Topeka, received the Student Award for her commitment to social and environmental issues. She was recognized for her efforts to lobby U.S. senators and advocate locally and nationally for more sustainable farm policies, fair trade, climate justice and other issues critical to the sustainability movement.

Sara Vancil, assistant director of the Office of Student Financial Aid, received the Staff Award. Vancil has helped promote a more sustainable work environment through office events and the establishment of an office Green Team. Initiatives include purchasing recycled-content paper, eliminating unnecessary printing and planning a “Green Month” during which individuals made personal “Green Goals” and participated in sustainability related activities in and outside of the office.

Stephen Goddard was recognized with the Faculty Award for his efforts to promote eco-friendly behaviors within the workplace and reach a broader audience through upcoming environmentally themed exhibitions at KU’s Spencer Museum of Art. Goddard is a professor of art history and senior curator of prints and drawings at the Spencer museum. Goddard helps keep coworkers informed about best practices, has advocated for a bike rack for museum patrons and incorporates environmental responsibility into his daily work.

The Student Initiative Award was presented to Emerging Green Builders for its involvement in designing a rain garden that will be planted at the David A. Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center on Earth Day in 2009. Students majoring in engineering, architecture and environmental studies worked on every aspect of the project, including identifying a site, designing the garden, selecting native plant species and securing funding. The project team included Laura Foster, Ferguson, Mo., senior; John Kenny, Fort Leavenworth senior; England Porter, Independence senior; Callie Statz, Ballwin, Mo., junior; Neil Steiner, Lawrence senior; and Raymond “Studie” Red Corn, who received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from KU in spring 2008. KU landscape architects Peg Livingood and Marion Paulette and Mary Chappell, director of Recreation Services, also were recognized for their roles in the project.

The final award was given to Dining Services for its efforts to provide a more sustainable dining experience at KU. Initiatives include using more locally grown ingredients in catered dishes and at the Impromptu Café; establishing an organic and all-natural concept at one of its retail facilities; including a “Thinkin’ Green” section in the employee training program; implementing a trayless service in the residential dining centers to help reduce food waste; using more eco-friendly dinnerware and packaging; and sending used cooking oil to the biofuel lab on campus to be converted to biodiesel.

The award ceremony was part of a luncheon honoring all of this year’s nominees, with a menu featuring local produce and organic ingredients.

Student winners are listed below by hometown, major, level in school, parents’ names, high school and award.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66044
Neil Steiner, senior in architecture and architectural engineering; Bishop Kelley High School, Tulsa, Okla.; Student Initiative Award project team member.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
From Fort Leavenworth 66027
Johnn Kenny, senior in civil engineering, son of Kraig and Deborah Kenny; Leavenworth Senior High School; Student Initiative Award project team member.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY
From Independence 67301
England Porter, senior in environmental studies, daughter of Paul and Susan Porter; Independence Senior High School; Student Initiative Award project team member.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66604
Anna Hoard, senior in musicology and voice performance, daughter of Robert and Mary Hoard; Topeka High School; Student Award.

MISSOURI
From Ballwin 63021
Callie Statz, junior in architectural engineering with a minor in business, daughter of Peter and Jacqueline Statz; Marquette High School, Chesterfield, Mo.; Student Initiative Award project team member.

From Ferguson 63135
Laura Foster, senior in architecture, daughter of Darrel and Jan Foster; McCluer High School, Florissant, Mo.; Student Initiative Award project team member.

From Kansas City 64114 and Pawhuska, Okla.
Raymond “Studie” Red Corn. See OKLAHOMA

OKLAHOMA
From Pawhuska 74056 and Kansas City, Mo.
Raymond “Studie” Red Corn, bachelor’s in civil engineering with environmental emphasis from KU, spring 2008; son of Raymond and Louise Red Corn of Pawhuska and the late Elizabeth Red Corn; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School, Shawnee, Kan.; Student Initiative Award project team member. He works as an environmental engineer in the water services division at CDM in Kansas City, Mo.

-30-

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.