Accomplishments
National Sustainability Awards and Honors
2024
2023
- Listed in The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: Top 50 Green Colleges for 2023
- ISU Power Plant conversion from coal to 100% natural gas in generating power for campus.
- Cited in the Times Higher Education's Impact ranking; ranked #96 overall, #3 for Goal 2, tied for #16 for Goal 7
- Iowa State University recertified as Tree Campus USA
2022
- Received Gold Certification, Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) STARS
- Listed in The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: Top 50 Green Colleges for 2022
- Iowa State University recertified as Tree Campus USA
- Iowa State University Transportation Services recognized as 100 Best Fleets
2021
- Listed on Princeton Review Green Honor Roll
- Ranked as a Sierra Club Cool School
- Iowa State University recertified as Tree Campus USA
- Achieved LEED Gold Certification for Student Innovation Center
- Listed in The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: Top 50 Green Colleges for 2021
- Iowa State University Transportation Services recognized as 100 Best Fleets
2020
- Named #2 of Top 25 Green Colleges by Best College Reviews
- One of 11 schools committed to the Electrification Coalition
- Listed in The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: Top 50 Green Colleges for 2020
- Iowa State University recertified as Tree Campus USA
2019
- Received Gold Certification, Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) STARS
- Named a Princeton Review Green School, Ranked Top 50
- Listed as a Sierra Club Cool School
- Iowa State University recertified as Tree Campus USA
- Achieved LEED Silver Certification for Bessey Hall addition
- Achieved LEED Gold Certification for Advanced Teaching & Research Building
- Recognized as "Top 50 Green Fleet Award" winner
- Iowa State University Transportation Services recognized as 100 Best Fleets
2018
- Named best college in Iowa by Time MONEY magazine
- Iowa State University recognized as a top 10 performing sustainable campus
- Iowa State University recertified as Tree Campus USA
- Named a Princeton Review Green School, Ranked Top 50
- Iowa State University Transportation Services recognized as 100 Best Fleets
2017
- Ranked #18 in Top 100 Safest College Campuses in USA
- Listed in Travel and Leisure’s Most Beautiful Schools in Every State
- Achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for Sukup Hall
- Achieved LEED Gold Certification for Sukup & Elings Hall
- Achieved LEED Gold Certification for Geoffroy Hall, ISU's first LEED-certified residence hall
- Achieved LEED Gold Certification for Marston Hall
- Achieved LEED Gold Certification for Frederiksen Court
- Recognized as "Top 50 Green Fleet Award" winner
- Iowa State University recertified as Tree Campus USA
- Named a Princeton Review Green School, Ranked Top 50
- Green Initiatives Fund established by student government to support student sustainability initiatives
2016
- Received Gold Certification, Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) STARS
- Iowa State University certified as Tree Campus USA
- Listed in "Top 50 Green Fleet Award" winner
- Ranked #19 "25 Most Energy Efficient Colleges"
- Achieved LEED Silver Certification for Lagomarcino Hall
- Achieved "Bronze Recognition for Bicycle-Friendly City," League of American Bicyclists
- Named a Princeton Review Green School
- Iowa State University Transportation Services recognized as 100 Best Fleets
Check out our Accomplishment Archives to view recognitions and awards from previous years!
Live Green! Excellence Awards
While Iowa State University received multiple sustainability-related accolades, awards and recognitions each year, the Live Green! Initiative also recognizes the dedicated and passionate students, faculty and staff that make for a sustainable Cyclone Nation.
Founded in 2010, the Live Green! Excellence Awards recognize Iowa State University students, faculty and staff who are making an impact on campus sustainability efforts by generating awareness and interest through initiatives that focus on teaching, research, outreach, and/or operations. Nominations are evaluated within six areas: cultural impact, impact on natural resources, economic impact, transferability, legacy to the Live Green! Initiative and its sustainability mission, and overall award merit. Awards are presented annually during the Symposium on Sustainability and reflect contributions and accomplishments from the previous calendar year.