McHenry Community College earns sustainability award
McHenry County College is one of seven Illinois community colleges recently honored for setting and meeting environmental goals on their campuses.
The college participates in the Illinois Campus Sustainability Compact, which outlines environmental goals that colleges and universities may adopt. It earned a bronze distinction for making a commitment to creating a sustainability program and engaging the campus community.
The college plans to install solar panels this spring to reduce its carbon footprint. Other sustainability efforts include installing energy efficient lighting in parking lots, and native plantings in and around new parking lots B and C to reduce water usage, mowing and the need for chemicals.
MCC was recognized at the Governor’s Sustainability Awards on Oct. 29 during a ceremony in Peoria.
Awards were presented by the Illinois Sustainability Technology Center, which since 1987 has presented governor’s awards to Illinois organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to environmental excellence through innovative sustainability practices.
“Our ultimate goal is to reduce our carbon footprint and to educate sustainably responsible citizens through a green campus, a green community and a green curriculum,” said Kim Hankins, MCC director of sustainability.
350 words on MLK’s “I have a dream” speech:
Crystal Lake area middle school students can participate in an essay contest honoring the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech as part of the fifth annual Martin Luther King, Jr. 2014 Interfaith Prayer Breakfast Jan. 20.
The contest theme is “My dream for the world is …” and essays should be between 300 and 350 words.
The deadline for submission is Sunday, Dec. 15. Submissions may be sent to faithbridgeessay@gmail.com.
The winner will be awarded $50, two tickets to the 2014 FaithBridge-sponsored MLK breakfast, and will also read the essay as part of the program.
The breakfast is from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 20, at D’Andrea Banquets, 4419 Route 14 in Crystal Lake. Tickets for the vegetarian buffet are $20 for adults and $15 for students and are available from FaithBridge supporting organizations. For more information, contact the Rev. Anne Muellemann at revannes@sbcglobal.net or (847) 516-1950.
The keynote speaker is Plemon T. El-Amin, imam emeritus of the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam, one of the nation’s largest mosques.
FaithBridge is a consortium of faith-based communities in McHenry and Lake counties promoting mutual understanding and respectful relationships among diverse communities.