51³Ô¹ÏÍø

51³Ô¹ÏÍø gets high marks for sustainability and environmental initiatives, according to recent national college rankings from The Princeton Review and Sierra Club.

51³Ô¹ÏÍø was selected for the . 51³Ô¹ÏÍø was recognized for academic programs that focus on sustainability, campus initiatives that encourage the use of alternative transportation such as bicycling, and the purchase of local food and production of organic produce.

51³Ô¹ÏÍø also was selected for the Princeton Review's 2017 listing of Best Colleges in the Midwest, and for Princeton Review's 2017 national guidebook, Best 381 Colleges. This is the 25th consecutive year that 51³Ô¹ÏÍø has been included in the Princeton Review's Best Colleges guidebook.

51³Ô¹ÏÍø also is ranked among national leaders among the The ranking, which places 51³Ô¹ÏÍø 138th among colleges and universities, focuses on environmental topics including academics, energy and water usage, food, purchasing, and transportation.

"Sustainability is one of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø's core values, and there's evidence of our accomplishments in student and faculty initiatives across the board, from facilities to academics and extracurriculars," said 51³Ô¹ÏÍø President Teresa Amott.

51³Ô¹ÏÍø's recent $12.5 million Alumni Hall renovation achieved LEED Gold certification from United States Green Building Council, and the new $9 million Whitcomb Art Center is also expected to qualify for LEED certification.

"Every year, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø's sustainability efforts are expanding. Last year, students donated over 7 tons of reusable items when they moved out of their residence halls. This year students have grown over 2,000 pounds of their own food on the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Farm. In addition last year over 60,000 pounds of organic waste were diverted from the landfill," said Deborah Steinberg, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Director of Sustainability Initiatives.

51³Ô¹ÏÍø is also highly ranked by US News & World Report's Best Colleges guidebook for outstanding teaching and ethnic and international diversity; by Forbes in its "Grateful Grads Index," for successful alumni who also support the college through donations; and in Washington Monthly's "service oriented" rankings that recognize a strong commitment to the public good, including extensive volunteer work by students in the community and service by alumni in the Peace Corps.

Photos below: students collect unneeded items from residence halls for recycling and reuse; grow their own food in an on-campus "high tunnel"; handle dining hall surplus for donation to local non-profit agencies.

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