2018-19 Featured Students

Julian Neely, Courtney Beringer, Colin Welk, and Zoey Mauck–"Green" Graduating Senior Leaders (May 2019)

Highlighting a few "green" graduating student leaders that are committed to continuing to envisioning "green" and a sustainable future beyond Iowa State University.  "You can't do this by yourself, you have to have a team alongside you," Neely said. "Sustainability is about creating less waste using the three Rs and about putting in place programs that will help people in a situation not for a week or a day, but for their whole lives." Beringer "Sustainability ties to every single possible career and every aspect of life. No matter what you care about, you can incorporate sustainability into your life. Take action now to make sure that the world we live in is inclusive, equitable, healthy and safe for everyone." Welk "Understand why you are doing what you do and how actions impact the environment will help you move forward in sustainability." Mauck

National Electrical Contractors Association, Engineers for a Sustainable World (April 2019)

Two student organizations committed to ongoing dedication to sustainability and a sustainable future and whose efforts are celebrated through many achievements and initiatives, locally, nationally and internationally, these two groups are National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW). 

"[We] look at current energy plans, make a new energy design and determine the cost and payback period for it. It's a real-world design challenge," Blachfrod said. "If you're looking for a place where you can apply sustainability and your innovation skills while still in college, this club is the perfect place. Everyone can contribute because there's so many aspects to the projects – more than engineering," Moyna said. 

Consistent innovation, teamwork, vision, and passion demonstrated by student organizations like NECA and ESW that promotes, builds and cultivates awareness, engagement, accomplishment, and success...and is always something to celebrate. 

ETHOS Magazine and SIR Magazine (March 2019)

Emphasizing the beauty of exploring green at Iowa State University as we feature two of the many semesterly student publications on campus that take readers on unique and diverse journeys exploring ideas touching on all aspects of life: Social, economic and/or environmental.

ETHOS covers the culture of Iowa State University. Sometimes that means a challenge in pursuing cutting edge stories, O'Brien noted, but ETHOS staff is persistent as they aim to share community voices. The value of persisting with stories touching on sensitive topics people may not want to think about, O'Brien explains, involves such stories'abilities to sustain and encourage a community of understanding. The mission of empowering community voices, articulating ideas and engaging audiences in discussions, is also a focus on SIR Magazine. SIR is a publication that appeals to the sharing of expression and voice primarily through art and article-based content; covering topics involving style, food, culture, music, technology, and health. "We offer an opportunity for people to develop their skills and push limits, we say some stuff that people don't like to hear, but need to comprehend. We make you think."

Be it discovering new viewpoints or finding the motivation to express oneself, SIR And ETHOS offer unique opportunities for diverse exploration. 

The Green Umbrella and Peer Wellness Educators (February 2019)

Many times when sustainability is discussed, environmental sustainability topics such as composting, recycling and food systems are brought up. Gomez and Pingel, however, believe sustainability looks different for everyone. The Green Umbrella spends time helping people find different ways to be sustainable (environmentally, economically and socially) that fit where they are in life. 

Peer Wellness Educators, the student's a part of the Peer Wellness Education Program, was envisioned in 2016 and was officially offered to ISU students in 2018. They served as another student-led initiative that promotes different ways people can practice sustainability. "One of the things about being a Peer Wellness Educator is that if your peers know you're a Peer Wellness Educator, [they] feel more comfortable talking to you about a problem than staff," Pingel said. 

"It's all interconnected. They're important because they're all connected in one way or another. We're social beings, so we need one another." Williams said. Through embracing difference in all aspects of life, one empowers a legacy of understanding among the community that strengthens us all. 

Pay It Forward and Student Society of Landscape Architecture (December 2018)

During our month-long recognition and celebration of creating green, two student organizations are highlighted this month that serve as platforms for ISU students to learn more about how the can sustainably impact communities and environments through projects and social networks–Student Architects (SSLA and Pay It Forward (PIF). 

One goal of SSLA is to connect people to the landscapes. Connecting people with landscapes that create a fun and socially sustainable environment is a goal that extends not only to their parklet project but also to club meetings. The job goes beyond backyards, Rueb, Brayton, and Murtle said, and can bring a landscape architect into a situation where they may be creating a space in a rural or urban, large or small scale area. In any location, the goal is always to support the health and functionality of environments, Rueb said. 

Pay It Forward, previously known as "Students Today, Leaders Forever," also focuses on creating healthy and sustainable communities by giving their time to "green" projects. Most notably through a spring break trip. "One of my favorite parts [about the service trip|] is seeing people get comfortable and come out of their shell," Vos said. "When someone does something nice for you, it's a great feeling...it's nice to be able to pay that forward," said Maria Daubenberger.  

The SHOP and ARD Corujo (November 2018)

Community residents buying green through shopping local can intern invest in their community, and offers a direct correlation. 73% of all purchases made locally are reinvested locally-offering  the opportunity to directly support the future you envision for your community. 

"A lot of the time people forget you can do a lot to help your neighbor by just giving them food or being their friend," said Paige Ahldrichs.

A unique opportunity for students to help their peers involves them spending their extra dining dollars each semester to purchase non-perishable food items at campus C-stores, that they can then donate to The SHOP. 

Buying used, thrifted clothes and upcycling them into a new style also is beneficial in keeping money in the community while empowering people to have affordable and confidence-boosting clothes, Corujo said. In the last four years, Corujo has upcycled 100+ items, all sourced from thrift stores. Each of which takes her 2-3 days to finish. "At the end of the day, there is happiness and simplicity. If it makes you happy, it is not a mistake," Corjuo said. 

The Environmental Education Club and The Go Green Group (Formally Greeks Go Green) (October 2019)

When it comes to student organizations supporting and promoting the Three Pillars of Sustainability, The Environmental Education Club and The Greeks Go Green Club are two examples of student-run organizations at Iowa State that strive to educate and engage the community on the benefits of learning green or learning to live sustainably. Both clubs support lifestyles that enable people to optimize resource opportunities today while ensuring there are systems in place that support equal, if not better, resources for future generations.

“We encourage all majors to join us…anyone on this planet can make their career more sustainable. It doesn’t just have to be the people in animal science or ecology. You can become a doctor and still be involved–you can reduce medical waste. You can go into cosmetics and make your products more environmentally friendly. My biggest goal is to inspire as many people as possible to participate in a sustainable lifestyle. Passing on the passion to others enables us to do many things.” Kurovski said.