First-ever Western Sustainability Awards to be presented tonight on campus

The first-ever Western Sustainability Awards will be handed out this evening on campus.

Sarah Stoner, Simon Fraser University's sustainability coordinator, and Dale Mikkelsen, director of development for the SFU Community Trust, will speak. Stoner's and Mikkelsen's keynote address will detail SFU's campus sustainability practices and projects. They will affirm and honor the WWU community for their commitment to sustainable practices and inspire them to continue investing campus sustainability.

A private reception for award nominees will be held from 4:30 to 5:30 in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room. The awards presentation will take place from 5:30 to 6:15, and then Mikkelsen and Stoner will deliver their address.

Four awards (for sustainability in academics, student life, operations and community partnership) will be presented by, respectively, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Steve Vanderstaay, Associated Students President Anna Ellermeier, Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs Rich Van Den Hul, and Vice President for University Relations Steve Swan.

Stoner will speak on SFU's campus sustainability organization and practices. She will address the benefits to students, scholarship and the surrounding communities that resonate from a university that strives for excellence in sustainability.

Mikkelsen will detail the sustainable campus development insights gained from a particular project: UniverCity. UniverCity is a compact, mixed-use and sustainable community built adjacent to SFU. Mikkelsen with share how this university-private developer partnership allowed for efficient implementation of innovative sustainable practices from which the university benefits. Lessons learned from UniverCity will encourage Western with a unique perspective on sustainable growth.