Students’ Stewardship Essay Earns National Honor

NC-State-StewardsAn NC State student-authored essay has earned second place in the National Association of College Auxiliary Services’ (NACAS) annual student author contest.

Students Nick Loschin, Mary Keilhauer, Caylin Mielke, Annie Lopez and Amelia Fujikawa co-authored the essay, highlighting their partnership with Campus Enterprises on one large initiative to reduce use of plastic bags on campus. The students are part of the waste reduction committee of the NC State Stewards, a sustainability leadership program coordinated by the University Sustainability Office.

The essay chronicles the three-year collaboration between the Stewards’ waste reduction committee and Campus Enterprises, resulting in the removal of plastic bags from campus dining locations and convenience stores.

“Our relationship with Campus Enterprises has given us the tools and resources we need to impact sustainability on our campus and fully embody the NC State motto of ‘Think and Do,’” the students wrote.

The essay also features a few of the many sustainability initiatives led by Campus Enterprises, including local food procurement, food waste reduction and composting efforts. NACAS, the largest industry organization supporting college auxiliary services, has offered the student contest since 2013. The NC State Stewards’ entry can be read in its entirety in the College Services Monthly publication.