CLC wins state sustainability award
In recognition of its efforts to promote environmental sustainability, the College of Lake County recently has made the list of top 2-year colleges in Sierra magazine and the Princeton Review.
Additionally, on Oct. 23, CLC received the Illinois Sustainability Award from the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, a division of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
CLC is now listed on the Princeton Review's ninth annual Guide to Green Schools at www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings/green-guide. The recognized schools were selected based on their academic offerings, campus policies, initiatives, activities and career preparation for students, according to a Princeton Review news release.
Princeton Review is a college admission services company offering test-preparation services and other resources, and it is not affiliated with Princeton University.
Additionally, CLC has made Sierra magazine's 2018 list of Cool Schools, www.sierraclub.org/sierra/cool-schools-2018/cool-schools-2018-full-ranking.
Sierra is the national magazine of the Sierra Club, an environmental nonprofit that reports 3 million members. The awarded schools in the 12th annual list were ranked based on academic criteria such as environmentally focused curriculum, engagement such as campus activism, operations, including on-campus recycling and waste management, as well as planning and administrative standards, according to a Sierra Club news release.
"Many students and their parents use these two national lists to help them to decide where they should consider going to college," said CLC Sustainability Manager David Husemoller.
"This is the first year that these guides have included community colleges. Having CLC listed on these reviews demonstrates that we are outperforming our peer institutions and many four-year colleges in regard to sustainability."
In addition to the recent distinguished rankings, CLC and 26 other Illinois organizations received the Illinois Sustainability Award during an Oct. 23 ceremony at the Union League of Chicago.
"It's truly an honor for the college to receive a statewide award," Husemoller said. "Once again, it shows that our ongoing efforts to promote environmental stewardship are paying off, and we are inspired to work even harder, as living sustainably is an effort of continuous improvement."
Kevin O'Brien, director of the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, said, "Illinois' success as an economic and cultural leader depends upon our responsible management of natural resources, as well as sustainable development. Every year, a group of champions represents the highest models of sustainable commerce, resource use and governance - the winners of the Illinois Sustainability Awards."
CLC's accomplishments include a Science & Engineering Building that opened in January. The building contains solar panels, geothermal heating and cooling, a 1,500-square-foot green roof and a system that uses harvested rainwater to flush toilets.
The building also includes daylight harvesting to reduce the need for electric lighting. Additionally, the Grayslake Campus includes a campus farm, apiary (managed bee colony), 66 acres of natural prairie, wetland and wooded areas, an arboretum and walking trails.
Most recently, the college has allocated parking spaces on the Grayslake, Lakeshore (Waukegan) and Southlake (Vernon Hills) campuses for faculty, staff and students driving fuel-efficient and low-emission vehicles.
Beyond physical features, 195 CLC courses contain content or an in-depth focus on one or more of the environmental, social equity or economic aspects of sustainability, Husemoller said. Additionally, the college hosts various workshops, speakers and events designed to connect students and community members to promote environmental responsibility, social equity and economic stewardship.
Husemoller added that the college's new Living Lab Trail, which is scheduled to open this fall, will highlight CLC's sustainable features and opportunities to explore wellness and will connect visitors with opportunities for community action, education and careers.
The state award, plus the two recent notable rankings, follow seven other awards or accolades that CLC has received over the past two years for promoting sustainability.
To learn more about CLC's environmental stewardship, visit www.clcillinois.edu/gogreen, or contact Husemoller at (847) 543-2643 or dhusemoller@clcillinois.edu.
For details on CLC's Spring Semester and to register, visit www.clcillinois.edu/spring.