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Awards and Recognition
U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools
Southeastern was one of only five postsecondary institutions to be honored for their
innovative efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, improve health
and wellness, and ensure effective sustainability education. The honorees were named from a pool of candidates nominated by 20 states. The
list of all selected schools, districts, colleges, and universities, as well as their
nomination packages, can be found here. A report with highlights on the 40 honorees can be found here. More information on the federal recognition award can be found here. Resources for all schools to move toward the three Pillars can be found here.
Southeastern Sustainability Receives Innovation Award 
Southeastern Louisiana University’s Sustainability Center has been awarded the Innovation
Champion Award by the Louisiana Chapter of U.S. Green Building Council. The university
received the award for its innovative hybrid geothermal residence halls. The two new
state-of-the-art residence halls, Ascension and Twelve Oaks, are cooling and heating
using energy from the ground. Full Story
Sustainability Manager Alejandro Martinez, right, and Graduate Assistant Gina Howell
accepted the award on behalf of the Southeastern Physical Plant team for its innovative
hybrid geothermal residence halls.
SOUTHEASTERN RECOGNIZED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP AWARD BY DEQ – Southeastern Louisiana University’s Sustainability Center has been recognized by the
Environmental Leadership Program for its pollution prevention and commitment to environmental
protection. Southeastern’s newest residence halls, Ascension Hall and Twelve Oaks
Hall, draw from 220 geothermal wells situated 300 feet underground to heat and cool
556 rooms. The geothermal hybrid system will significantly cut down on heating and
cooling costs.
Southeastern Louisiana University’s Sustainability Center 
has been recognized by the Environmental Leadership Program for its pollution prevention and commitment to environmental protection. Southeastern’s
newest residence halls, Ascension Hall and Twelve Oaks Hall, draw from 220 geothermal
wells situated 300 feet underground to heat and cool 556 rooms. The geothermal hybrid
system will significantly cut down on heating and cooling costs.
U.S.Green Building Council
The Southeastern Louisiana University Sustainability Center has been awarded the
Operational Excellence Champion Award by the Louisiana Chapter of U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC Louisiana). Director of the Southeastern Physical Plant Byron Patterson accepted the award on behalf of his team for its efforts to make the campus as energy efficient
as possible.USGBC is a nonprofit organization that houses Green Business Certification Inc., the
only group to administer project certifications and professional credentials and certificates within the framework of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Green Building Rating System. LEED designation is the international standard for environmentally sound buildings.The USGBC cited the Southeastern team for implementing energy efficient technologies
that are saving energy and money for the university.
Environmental Steward Award
The St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerceha
s honored Southeastern Louisiana University with its Environmental Steward Award in recognition of the university’s wide-ranging sustainability program.
The award, which recognizes a business that conducts or participates in activities
that benefit the environment through its practices and policies, was presented at
the organization’s 13th annual Business Appreciation Awards luncheon held recently
in Covington. It is only the second time the award has been presented.
The university instituted its Sustainability Center several years ago in an attempt
to save operating dollars and reduce waste going to landfills while providing a strong
learning component for Southeastern students involved in energy, mechanical and construction
engineering technology.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by our neighboring Chamber of Commerce for our efforts
that positively impact the entire north shore region,” said Physical Plant Director
Byron Patterson, whose staff oversees the Sustainability Center.