University News
Environmental Summit Student Awards Announced
March 29, 2013
MACOMB, IL – As the 10th annual Environmental Summit at Western Illinois University approaches, the names of the student award winners have been released by the event's planning committee.
The summit will be held from 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, on the WIU-Quad Cities Campus and from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 3 in the University Union on the Macomb campus.
The winners for this year's student awards are:
• Catch a Star Preschool, in the prek-sixth grade category
"Promoting Environmental Education One Cell Phone at a Time"
By collecting old cell phones, and ink and toner cartridges, Catch a Star Preschool has recycled more than 3,900 pounds of material, preventing plastics, nylon and various metals from entering the landfills in the area. Local businesses have gotten involved, and children from over 100 families are able to see the positive impact from their actions. As of this point, the project has raised enough money to buy new furniture and updated play equipment, allowing the facility to update without the need for specific fundraising efforts. This project builds on other efforts at the school, such as the outdoor classroom.
• Western Illinois University Campus Greens, in the college category
"Spreading Environmental Awareness"
The WIU Campus Greens group is involved in a number of local environmental projects throughout the year, to the benefit of both the campus and the community. The group strives to educate on environmental issues, as well as to educate and reduce issues of social injustice. Some of their projects during the last year include hosting viewings of documentaries related to environmental and social justice issues, highway clean-up projects in association with other community organizations, hosting Earthfest and bringing candidates and events of the Illinois Green Party to Macomb.
• Western Illinois University Campus Recreation, in the college category
"More Technology, Less Paper at the Rec"
Staff and graduate students have worked to develop web-based technology to reduce the amount of paper used at the student recreation center. Technological investments were made to reduce paper usage among staff as well. Projected annual savings within the department are approximately $300 as of March 2013. Efforts to reduce poster usage and transition to digital signage are also underway. It is the hope of the staff and students involved that other departments will be able to use Campus Recreation as an example to lower their own paper usage.
The student awards will be presented during a reception at the West Central Illinois Arts Center, in downtown Macomb, from 6 - 7:30 p.m. April 3.
For more information about the summit, visit wiu.edu/summit.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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