Southeastern Sustainability Center receives national award
Friday, April 23, 2021 11:10:35 AM CDT
by: Tonya Lowentritt
SOUTHEASTERN SUSTAINABILITY CENTER RECOGNIZED WITH NATIONAL AWARD - Southeastern Louisiana University’s Sustainability Center has been recognized with the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Postsecondary Sustainability Award. 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.
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University’s Sustainability Center has been
recognized with the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools Postsecondary
Sustainability Award. 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
selectees include 24 public schools, five charter schools, one magnet school, and
three nonpublic schools.
“Southeastern makes a conscious effort to maintain and promote sustainable practices.
This commitment is evident across campus from solar panels, to water bottle refilling
stations, recycling campaigns, and to our newest residence halls that use geothermal
technology,” said Sustainability Manager Alejandro Martinez. “Southeastern’s two new
residence halls are 30 percent more energy efficient, have reduced greenhouse gas
production by 58% annually, and, as a result, saved the university $107,000 since
operations began in October of 2018.”
Since its creation, the Sustainability Center has accumulated numerous awards,
including the Environmental Leadership award from the Louisiana Department of Environmental
Quality for its pollution prevention and commitment to environmental protection initiatives;
the Operational Excellence Champion award from the Louisiana Chapter of the U.S. Green
Building Council; and the Environmental Steward award from the St. Tammany West Chamber
of Commerce in recognition of the university’s wide-ranging sustainability program.
For more information about the Sustainability Center, visit southeastern.edu/sustainability.