News Center

Aug. 25, 2015 – The Sierra Club, the nation’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, has again listed Allegheny College among the top colleges and universities in the nation for green initiatives, institutions that the Sierra Club calls “America’s coolest schools.” Allegheny jumped dramatically in the rankings this year, from #110 last year to #66 this year.

Rankings are based on more than 70 factors, including the presence of a student sustainability group on campus, sustainability-focused courses, faculty research, innovations, use of renewable energy sources, waste reduction and a strategic plan that includes high-level sustainability.

Allegheny, which has pledged to become climate neutral by 2020, has a long-standing commitment to promoting sustainability practices and solutions. Its commitment began in 1972 with the establishment of one of the first environmental science departments in the country and accelerated in recent years when the college became a signatory of the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) in 2007.

In 2012 Allegheny College was one of only 10 academic institutions in the nation to be honored by Second Nature and the ACUPCC in the Third Annual Climate Leadership Awards, which recognize ACUPCC signatory schools that demonstrate unparalleled campus innovation and climate leadership that helps transition society to a clean, just and sustainable future.

In addition, earlier this month, the Princeton Review released the 2016 edition of its annual college guide “The Best 380 Colleges.” Allegheny was one of only 24 schools to receive a score of 99, the highest possible score, in the guidebook’s Green Honor Roll, which celebrates the most environmentally friendly colleges in the nation.