History of Sustainability at EMU
EMU was encouraging sustainable living long before “green” became trendy. It’s always been part of our understanding of the call to live gently with God’s creation.
EMU students live in LEED-certified, energy-efficient residence halls. Our library draws power from the first-installed commercial-scale solar installation in the state. Dining hall guests compost food scraps to later nourish campus gardens, which provide fresh produce.
Recent Highlights:
2023
- EMU names Environmental Sustainability as an undergraduate curriculum core value and learning outcome. EMU Core student learning outcomes promote EMU values and support social and professional development. Our students will graduate with a broad base of knowledge and professional skills augmented by their deeper exploration of a particular discipline.
- EMU hires Andrea Troyer as Sustainability Coordinator, to advocate for sustainable practices, environmental stewardship, and advancing an awareness of creation care at EMU. The Sustainability Coordinator is the contact person for events, projects, and initiatives, and collaborates with various entities on and off campus around sustainability efforts.
2022
- Earthkeepers and Sustainable Food Initiative present at first annual Student Sustainability Summit
- Clara Weybright ’20 is MCUSA’s Young Peacemaker
- Nearby alpine wilderness provides respite, outdoor lab for EMU students
2021
- EMU publishes Climate Action Plan Benchmark Summary to assess EMU’s carbon reduction progress and goals from the past five years
- EMU recycling team notches historic scrap metal run
2020
- Just in time for Easter, wildflowers emerge in Park Woods
- New environmental justice minor addresses the intersections of environmentalism and social justice movements
- Cross-Cultural Committee and Academic Cabinet approve EMU Cross-Cultural Programs Carbon Budget Policy. This policy seeks to create a balance between providing our students with life-changing opportunities to immerse themselves in global cultures and recognizing and minimizing the toll this privilege may take on our global neighbors and creation.
2019
- For fifth consecutive year, EMU earns first among state RecycleMania competitors
- A ‘live project’ for environmental sustainability students: Park Woods
- EMU ranked among Sierra Club’s ‘Cool Schools’
- Alumni-founded network fosters sustainability initiatives
2018
- Initial EMU crowdfunding campaigns to fund solar boost, MJ Sharp scholarship
- New Valley sustainability network includes EMU partners
- Solar in a Day
2017
- Soul Fire Farm co-owner to talk about working to end racism and injustice through sustainable food production
- Coalition for Climate Justice urges simple commitments to living out sustainable values
- Water issues in Kenya on tap for first Suter Science Seminar with Professor Doug Graber Neufeld
- EMU among sustainability award winners for nitrogen footprint study
- Earthkeepers mini-grants boost campus grassroots sustainability projects
- Sustaining sustainability: EMU again earns STARS ‘Silver’ rating
Learn more about our first 100 years of Sustainability practices and efforts through this detailed timeline.
