Allegheny College has always been a place where ambitious goals are set. Students are action-oriented in addition to learning beyond their majors and minors. This is never more evident than when students collaborate to reach campus sustainability goals.
This was most definitely the case when Kelly Boulton ‘07, director of sustainability, began leading the journey toward campus carbon neutrality, which the College achieved in 2020. The achievement was recognized by the United States Department of Energy in 2023 as part of their Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitments. Her efforts are fortified by ESS students, whose work enabled attaining the ambitious goal.
The accomplishment reflects more than a decade of effort to achieve efficiency in operations, engage students in research and action, and build collaborations with partners in our local community, the federal government, and the national collective of sustainability leaders in higher education. The research, engagement, and ingenuity of students led to a wide range of sustainable aspects of campus life, including rain gardens, environmental community art, a comprehensive composting program, green roofing, LEED® certified buildings, geo-exchange heating and cooling, porous parking lots, wind generated electricity, and an annual campus-wide energy challenge.
When Allegheny College ESS graduates go onto a wide array of next steps, they start their journeys equipped with real-world experience and tangible accomplishments.
