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Mellon grant to support environmental education
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$1 million grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation will be used to support Westminster’s environmental education and research facilities. The grant, received in August, will be used to create the Center for the Environment, which will serve as the epicenter for educating students in the fields of environmental science and environmental studies, as well as students from other disciplines interested in environmental issues. The new center will be located within the Hoyt Science Center, the central hub of scientific learning and research. The grant will enable the College to develop spaces that go beyond the traditional science classroom, incorporate energy efficiency and sound environmental design and promote sustainable approaches to student learning. 6 w w w.w e s t m i n s t e r. e d u
“We are grateful to the Richard King Mellon Foundation for this grant to establish the Center for the Environment, which we believe will support students who want to learn more about environmental studies and science,” said Westminster President Dr. Kathy Brittain Richardson. “Our environmental programs have enjoyed successes and good enrollments over the years, and our faculty and students have partnered with community groups to complete important and innovative environmental projects. A dedicated environmental center will only enhance our ability to educate our students and allow us to continue doing what we do best: pushing our students to reach their full potential,” said Richardson. “With the new Center for the Environment, we will be able to enhance experiential learning, community
collaborations and research to support high impact undergraduate environmental education,” said Dr. Helen Boylan, professor of chemistry and coordinator for the environmental science and environmental studies programs. The new center will also support multidisciplinary and civic activities. Recently Westminster College’s environmental science, business and education faculty offered a two-course experience for STEM and business students to apply project management skills to a local environmental issue—the potential for harnessing solar energy in New Wilmington. In fall 2017, a 160-square-foot Tiny House, built by a team of Westminster College students and community partners, was dedicated as an on-campus living sustainability lab.
