Three members of the NC State community and one campus organization were honored with Green Brick Awards from the Campus Environmental Sustainability Team on April 17 for outstanding contributions to sustainability.
Sponsored by Coca-Cola, the Green Brick Awards have recognized sustainability achievements at NC State since 2004. Each spring nominations are received from the campus community and a selection committee determines a winner in the following categories: Student, Faculty Member, Staff Member and Campus Department or Student Organization.
Interdisciplinary studies major Hannah Frank is the student recipient for her demonstrated commitment to sustainable food and energy. Hannah is a Caldwell Fellow, co-manager of the Campus Farmer’s Market and a core organizer for Fossil Free NCSU, a student-led campaign for climate neutrality and renewable energy within the UNC System. Hannah also works as a research assistant for the Appalachian Foodshed Project, an initiative addressing issues of food security throughout southern Appalachia.
The staff recipient is David Johnson, a chef with University Dining at its On the Oval restaurant on Centennial Campus. Last summer, David envisioned and helped develop a roofside garden atop Wolf Ridge Student Apartments. This garden grew fruits and vegetables that were later served in the Oval’s restaurant. In addition to implementing organic gardening principles that minimized water and resource use, the garden improved staff engagement and appreciation of food.
This year’s faculty winner is Dr. Danesha Seth Carley, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Horticultural Science and Associate Director for the Southern Integrated Pest Management Center. Among her most visible projects is the famed Pinehurst No. 2 golf course that was the host of the 2014 U.S. Open Golf Championship, where her research drew national attention and widespread media coverage about the importance of native plants. At NC State, she guided sustainability efforts that led to the university’s Lonnie Poole Golf Course gaining Audubon Certification and created an Executive Course on sustainability, which has engaged leaders from some of the nation’s top agriculture companies. Danesha also initiated an environmental education program at Centennial Campus Magnet Middle School, launched a Sustainable Managed Landscapes Program for other K-12 groups, and chaired the 2013 NC State Earth Week celebration on sustainable food.
University Student Centers received the campus organization award for its efforts to enhance sustainability at the nearly-completed Talley Student Union. Upon completion of construction, Talley is expected to earn LEED Silver Certification for leadership in energy and environmental design. But the commitment to sustainability doesn’t end there. Since the opening of the building’s first phase, 30 percent of waste at Talley has been diverted from landfills through robust recycling and composting programs. Plus, the building is actively seeking ways to reduce its energy use.