The US Department of Education announced today, Earth Day, that Shippensburg University is named a 2022 US Department of Education Green Ribbon School. Ship was nominated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and was one of only four postsecondary institutions to be honored nationally in the Postsecondary Sustainability Award category.
“We are so proud to be recognized through US Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools designation. We want to thank all of you who have worked tirelessly on the sustainability efforts that made our application successful. This is a huge accolade that represents the collective efforts of so many staff, faculty and students, and reflects our university’s commitment to sustainability,” said Dr. Claire Jantz, professor of Geography and Earth Sciences and director of the Center for Land Use and Sustainability at Shippensburg University.
This award acknowledges college or university leadership that take a comprehensive approach to sustainability and demonstrate a commitment to a sustainable campus, health and environmental learning.
“Environmental sustainability is a way of life at Ship and a commitment we take seriously. I’m proud of the work our campus community does every day and it is rewarding to see our efforts honored on a national scale,” said Dr. Charles E. Patterson, interim president of Shippensburg University.
In 2015, the university decommissioned its Steam Plant and transitioned to natural gas, reducing its overall greenhouse gas footprint by 29 percent. In 2017, the university announced the creation of a sustainability major, combining a focus of sustainability with geotechnology and geographic information systems. The university is also home to an organic campus farm that provides a learning environment for students and fresh produce to food insecure families in the community.
In 2018, SU was named a Bicycle Friendly University by the League of American Bicyclists. A week each year is dedicated to the environment with the annual StewardShip celebration and In 2021 Ship obtained grant funding and donations to launch ShipComposts, a student initiative aimed at reducing food waste and carbon emissions on campus.”
Ship’s commitment to the environment extends far beyond the borders of campus with the Center for Land Use and Sustainability (CLUS). For nearly two decades, CLUS has worked to foster healthy, vibrant and sustainable communities through applied research, experiential learning opportunities for students and interdisciplinary, cross-sector partnerships.
