Inaugural Sustainability Awards honor commitment to the environment

More than 65 members of the UO community gathered at the Autzen End Zone Terrace last week to honor colleagues for their commitment to environmental sustainability at the inaugural Sustainability Awards dinner.

After a nomination process that ended in late April, seven recipients were chosen to receive six awards. The awardees were honored for their sustainability-minded work in athletics, campus operations, campus design, student leadership, research and teaching.

Bob Beals, UO associate athletic director of facilities, was honored with the 2015 Green Wings Award. The award, which acknowledges an individual, team or departmental unit committed to sustainability in Duck athletics, recognized Beals’ contributions to the department’s portfolio of sustainability initiatives.

The 2015 Campus Operations Award went to Jeff Ziglinski, the recycling coordinator of the program, who was recognized for his day-to-day commitment to environmental awareness and preservation through his position with Campus Operations.

Ken Doxsee, UO vice provost for academic affairs, received the 2015 Campus Design Award for his work on the Straub Hall renovation that was completed this spring. The renovation included extensive improvements to the energy efficiency of the building, while maintaining its historic structure. Associate Vice President of Campus Planning and Real Estate Chris Ramey, who presented the award, said Doxsee “demonstrated excellence, leadership and creativity in implementing the Oregon Model for Sustainable Design.”

The awards program also recognized an outstanding sophomore or junior student, with a minimum 3.5 grade-point average, who exemplifies the UO Office of Sustainability’s mission. Accounting major Jenna Salazar received the 2015 Student Leadership in Sustainability Award, which included a $500 cash prize to support her leadership development.

Ronald Mitchell, a UO political science professor, was honored with the 2015 Research Innovation Award, which acknowledges a UO project or Oregon company commercializing or distributing products or services developed from UO research in sustainability. Mitchell was recognized for his work on the International Environmental Agreements Database.

Lastly, the 2015 Excellence in Teaching Award was given to Kathryn Lynch and Peg Boulay — both co-directors of the UO Environmental Leadership Program — for their sustainability-centered pedagogy and curricula. Acting Provost Frances Bronet, who introduced the pair at the awards ceremony, said, “Their teaching and mentorship inspires student engagement in sustainability projects on campus and beyond.”

The event was sponsored by the Office of Sustainability.

— By Nathaniel Brown, Public Affairs Communications intern