MMC Launches 2008-09 The Year of the Environment

On Earth Day (April 22) “Greening the Curriculum,” a panel about a multidisciplinary academic approach to environmental issues, will feature insights from Assistant Professor of Philosophy Carrie-Ann Biondi, Assistant Professor of Physics Kelsey Jordahl, Assistant Professor of Chemistry Alessandra Leri and Assistant Professor of Communication Arts Rebecca White. They will discuss practical methods to reduce individual and institutional carbon footprints and explore environmental topics of problem solving and awareness in academia. On April 18, the College will host Nora Pittenger ’07, the Minneapolis City Ambassador for the EcoTuesdays organization. She will speak about her work with EcoTuesdays and promoting networking among sustainable business leaders.

Throughout the week, there will be rotating exhibits in the Black and White Galleries, including student artwork and presentations, which will emphasize energy awareness and conservation strategies. Director of the Hewitt Gallery of Art and Assistant Professor of Art Millie Burns, will lead a recycled artists’ book workshop, Professor Kelsey Jordahl will distribute compact fluorescent light bulbs and Abigail Talcott, assistant manager of external affairs, will describe the accomplishments and next steps for reducing MMC’s carbon footprint. On Earth Day, MMC student Alison Manning and student representatives from six clubs will host a variety of activities featuring arts and crafts, raffles and giveaways and fresh food products for students in the Black and White Galleries.

There will be multiple screenings of “MMC Goes Green,” a video about The Year of the Environment created by Professor of Communication Arts David Linton and Linda Sada, director of alumni relations. There will also be several screenings of “An Inconvenient Truth” on the 8th Floor space.

In support of this initiative, the MMC Library has established, GreenFILE, a database that offers perspective on the ways humans affect the environment. Drawing on the connection between the environment and disciplines such as agriculture, education, law, health and technology, GreenFILE serves as an informational resource for anyone concerned about the issues facing our planet. Over 300,000 records may be found, many in full text and searchable with cited references. There will be demonstrations of the GreenFILE database in the Black and White Galleries on Earth Day.

Click here to access the database on the library page and here to link directly to GreenFile. 

The NEEW and Earth Day events are a collaborative effort of the Year of the Environment Committee; alumni; students from the GoGreen Coalition, Alpha Chi, International Studies Club, MMC Outreach, Omicron Delta Kappa and the Science Society; faculty from all departments, staff from Academic Affairs, Institutional Advancement, Student Affairs and the Thomas J. Shanahan Library.

To view a complete schedule of the week of events to launch the Year of the Environment, please click here.

Published: April 15, 2008