Student Honorees:

Dickinson College’s 2025 Baird Sustainability Fellows (Natalia Donia, Karuna Gauchan, Noah Salsich, and Kailey Sipe) assessed climate risks and resilience at Dickinson College and evaluated and recommended strategies for building climate resilience at Dickinson. They shared their findings and recommendations at a workshop attended by Dickinson administrators, faculty, and students in December 2024. Their work is being used to inform climate action at Dickinson.

CERCLE Student Group (Isabella Dolan, Greyson Fusco, Danielle Monaco, and Elwood Harney) over the past two years have worked to advance a more equitable and circular food system at Ursinus College. Their work includes efforts to understand and address food insecurity among our student population, implementing surplus food redistribution programs on campus, as well as research and coordination to identify and put into place food waste management programs. Their work addresses multiple dimensions of the food system and supports human and environmental well-being. Their efforts ensure that the next generation of students will inherit a more sustainable and equitable food system on our campus.

Elsa Waidelich (Environmental Science and Sustainability major) has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to sustainability through both her research on long-term carbon sequestration in switchgrass fields, and her community-building efforts on campus. From her experience as president of Allegheny’s Students for Environmental Action and Bike Share club, to her membership in the student-led Sustainable Design Team, Elsa’s substantial service to the campus demonstrates her investment in sustaining a strong community to confront today’s environmental challenges.

Food Recovery Network (Adeline Peat, Anna Janaszek, Emmanuel Kraft, Anant Pothakamury, Irini Gentis, Eliana Wong) at Penn State has grown immensely in engagement, sustainability, and impact. In just two years, they've recovered over 13,000 pounds of food from dining halls, sporting events, and other campus locations that then goes to ​students and community in need - over 9,000 pounds recovered in 2024 alone. These student leaders pair recovery work with campus outreach, growing their volunteer base from six to 63 students, hosting educational events, and presenting in classes about the importance of reducing food waste. They also partner with local food security organizations to build collective change.

Hannah Horengic, as the president of Lebanon Valley College’s Environmental Club, has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dramatically increasing student involvement and spearheading impactful programming such as the environmental sustainability luncheon. She serves as a student liaison to the college-wide Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee, ensuring student voices contribute to campus sustainability efforts. Beyond campus, Hannah’s work with the Lebanon Valley Conservancy and conservation internships showcase her dedication to environmental stewardship.

Juniata College Sustainability Interns (Emma Burry, Caitlyn Handel, Gianna Leone, Marilyn Ogof, Ashley Robuck, and Isatou Sonko) have successfully led our campus through Tree and Bee campus recertifications, collecting data for the reports and organizing events like a new pollinator garden and a native seed bomb stress buster event during finals week. Off-campus, they supported reforestation efforts by assisting with 7 acres of riparian buffers in partnership with the county conservation district. The interns also played a key role in Juniata's first STARS report in 10 years, reviewing course catalog for sustainability and serving as reviewers for 32 out of 50 report sections.

OGRP Student Facilitators (Kate Cowan, Marin Lynch, Maddie Messer, Elijah Wallace) includes four present senior students who have for the past 3 years managed and facilitated the Outdoor Gear Rental Program (OGRP) that is housed at the Center for the Sustainable Environment. They have also organized and led the First year Outdoor Orientation Trip (FOOT). OGRP is a program where students as well as Faculty and Staff borrow all sorts of camping equipment for weekend and overnight trips, both personal and institution led. FOOT is a pre-orientation first year program where these students led 20 first years on overnight backpacking trips on the Appalachian Trail.

Zane Hensal is a community leader who is deeply involved in action and research both on and off campus that drives forward environmental and sustainability actions. He is working with Kulpmont Borough on a greenhouse gas inventory and climate action plan to create strategies that address priority areas in transportation, energy, waste, and planning for changing environmental risks. He serves on his local school board where he advocates for incorporation of solar energy for the district. Additionally, he serves on the Clearfield County Planning Board where he is a contributing member to decisions on solar projects.

Non-Student Accomplishment Summaries

Andy Gulati  is an enormous help to the Franklin & Marshall College bike loan program. Though it does not necessarily fit his job description. F&M has over 100 bikes that are loaned to students. Andy handles the tech part by organizing the signups and spreadsheet to track borrowers and their renewals and returns. He does bike repairs and helps give out bikes on the big handout day. He makes himself available at all times of the day to students with bicycle needs.

Ben Hayes is the Program Director of the Watershed Sciences & Engineering Program within Bucknell University’s Center for Sustainability & the Environment, a position he has held since 2006. During his tenure, Dr. Hayes has championed environmental stewardship and sustainability on campus and regionally. This includes campus greening and ecological restoration efforts, creating interdisciplinary, experiential learning opportunities for students, mentoring and supporting faculty, staff and students in research activities, and creating outreach and network opportunities for the community through the annual River Symposium. He has served on multiple regional and state advisory committees seeking to give the River a voice.

Mary Ann Smith is a tireless champion of students and her campus, striving to advance sustainable learning and operations and to build a community of sustainability leaders. She is a founding partner in the Campus Arboreta Network to foster biodiversity across Penn State’s campuses. She is a program coordinator of EnvironMentors, which partners K-12 students underrepresented in STEM fields with Penn State student mentors to work with faculty on sustainability research projects. She also empowers her students to develop novel endeavors, such as a Beekeeping Club that teaches about pollinators and develops competencies to harvest honey and make beeswax products.

Steve Guenther has been championing sustainability at Carnegie Mellon University for more than 12 years, by innovating campus green practices and serving on the steering committee for the campus-wide Sustainability Initiative. Using the UN SDGs as a framework, the Initiative encompasses campus education, research, and practices. As University Engineer and Assistant VP for Facilities Management and Campus Services, Guenther manages campus energy and water use and all utility infrastructure. Achievements in which Guenther has had a key role include AASHE STARS Gold ratings, a more than 70% reduction in GHG emissions, and setting a carbon neutrality goal for the university.