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October 5 Declared as Energy Efficiency Day at VWU
President Miller signs proclamation urging campus commitment to energy conscious practices
University News | October 2, 2018
President Scott D. Miller has declared October 5 as Energy Efficiency Day at Virginia Wesleyan University. VWU joins dozens of cities, states, companies, and government agencies nationwide in this effort, but is only the second college or university in the country—the first in the Commonwealth—to make this proclamation for 2018.
Dr. Miller signed the formal proclamation October 2 in the Greer Environmental Sciences Center. Also in attendance were Maynard Schaus, Associate Provost, Elizabeth Malcolm, Professor of Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences and Chair of the President's Environmental Issues Council, and Brian Kurisky, Director of Wesleyan Engaged. The charge is led by the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) and a national network of nonprofit organizations united in promoting the benefits of energy efficiency.
Energy efficiency—switching to LED light bulbs, sealing air leaks, upgrading appliances, among other updates—is the cheapest, quickest way to meet energy needs, reduce pollution, and cut consumer bills. It is also an economic engine in the U.S., supporting 2.25 million jobs in manufacturing, construction and other fields.
The Virginia Wesleyan University community is dedicated to a greener campus and a greener world and has been recognized locally, regionally and nationally for its sustainability practices:
- Consistently selected by The Princeton Review as one of the most environmentally responsible colleges in the U.S. and Canada and profiled in its Green Colleges guide.
- Honored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in 2018 with its top "Conservationist of the Year" award, which recognized the LEED Gold certified Greer Environmental Sciences Center (GESC) and the University’s vision and dedication to educating the next generation of Bay leaders.
- Recently advanced to the top tier Model Level status in the Elizabeth River Project’s River Star Business program.
- Installed a SmartFlower solar system on campus, which generates 40 percent more energy than a traditional fixed solar panel.
- In summer 2018, hosted the Environmental Explorers camp in partnership with the YMCA of South Hampton Roads’ Camp Red Feather and the Virginia Wesleyan Environmental Institute: Summer Scholars Program for ninth-grade girls interested in in E-STEM fields.
- A participant in the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance partnership, a coalition dedicated to helping recover the Bay’s oyster populations, and a member of Virginia’s No Child Left Inside Coalition, a collaborative effort between organizations to promote outdoor learning.
- Selected by the PepsiCo Recycling Zero Impact Fund program to receive funding for two solar-powered umbrellas and two human-powered desk bicycles that function on campus as sustainable cell-phone charging stations for students.
In addition, VWU President Scott D. Miller serves as chair of The Climate Leadership Network (formerly The American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment) and sits on the board of the prominent national environmental advocacy organization Second Nature. He also leads the President's Environmental Issues Council on campus.
Virginia Wesleyan is also committed to waste-reduction, recycling, energy efficiency, green building practices, composting and other earth-friendly landscaping practices, promotion of public transportation, and much more. Many faculty/student research projects integrate learning and community service for the betterment of the planet. Read more about sustainability at VWU.