Are you or is someone you know a champion for sustainability?
Do you know an individual who has made an impact on campus sustainability at Wake Forest? Nominate them for a Champions of Change award! Each year, change-makers are honored at our Campus Sustainability Awards ceremony. Nominations typically open in February. Nominations are accepted for students, faculty, and staff who advance sustainability through 5 categories.
Champions of Change Categories
Embodying the Mission – Empowers others to lead the sustainability transformation at Wake Forest and in the world
Activating the Vision – Integrates sustainability into the academic experience by using the campus as a model for place-based learning
Emerging Leader – Demonstrates exceptional promise and commitment to sustainability at Wake Forest
Cultural Catalyst – Inspires cultural and behavioral change for sustainability progress
Everyday Champion – Advances campus sustainability commitments at Wake Forest as part of their everyday work
Champions of Change nominations are evaluated based on:
- The way(s) in which the nominee(s) has/have helped advance one or more of the WFU campus sustainability goals or commitments
- Measurable impact in an area of transformation on the Wake Forest campus(es)
- Measurable impact among constituents across campus or in the community served (students, faculty, staff, and/or community members)
- Any additional information or data available to support the nomination
- Embodying the Mission: Wendy Halsey, Associate Vice President for Facilities Operations (Empowering colleagues in all areas under her purview to develop best practices and to integrate actionable sustainability targets into their job functions)
- Activating the Mission: Dr. Ovidiu Csillik, Assistant Professor in Remote Sensing (Collaborating on the creation of a digital map of our campus trees by using LiDAR technology and incorporating field species identification into his First Year Seminar “Technology for Nature Conservation”); Dr. Sebastián Terneus, Assistant Teaching Professor, Writing (Outstanding work to incorporate sustainability topics into his Writing 111 and Writing 325 courses through campus experiential learning, engaging students through creative, hands-on projects)
- Cultural Catalyst: Lori Tyson-Jamison, Assistant Director of Wellbeing – Mental Health (Partnering in the development and re-launch of the Eat With Purpose campaign – education and skill-building to help students build nutrition-focused meals that prioritize personal and environmental wellbeing); Marian Trattner, Assistant Director of Wellbeing, Health Promotion (Building ongoing partnerships for environmental wellbeing and incorporating sustainability principles into a wide array of opportunities, including the Thrive Collective Impact Coalition, the academic course CNS 253: Peer Education, Arrive & Thrive, and WakeWell); Ahlanna Nikole Jackson, ’27 (Connecting environmental and systems thinking with civil, human, and international rights and working to make sustainability accessible for all students through her involvement in Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., the Women’s Center, Student Union, Black Student Alliance, the Office of Sustainability, and beyond)
- Spark of Change: Emily Green, ’27 (Spearheading the creation of a permanent sustainability subcommittee in Student Government, and using that platform to reduce waste by incentivizing student organizations to invest in reusable items using SBAC funding) Olivia Anglin, ’29 (Demonstrating how peak athletic performance doesn’t have to be in conflict with climate solutions by bringing a plant-forward focus to the WFU Tradition Council’s annual Chris Paul Day celebration)
- Emerging Leader: Crystal Dixon, Associate Professor of the Practice (Connecting her background in public health with environmental issues in her classes, including developing a new course: Environmental Challenges: A Public Health Crisis, alongside serving in various leadership roles in environment and sustainability organizations both on campus and in the greater community)
- Everyday Champion: Lizzy Grandstaff, Landscape Technician (Advocating for and incorporating perennials and native species in planting beds under her care, providing year-long beauty and enhancing resilience of campus landscapes through soil health); Meredith Parker, Academic Coordinator (Developing plant-forward menus and prioritizing the collection of organic composable materials at every meal for the online Masters of Counseling student residencies, and advocating for fewer single-use materials at Department of Counseling events); Amy Dixon, Assistant Horticulturist (Advancing biodiversity and ecological function on the Reynolda Gardens grounds through responsible land management, habitat preservation, improvement, and stewarding outdoor spaces for learning through her daily efforts)
- Enduring Change: Brian Smith, Laboratory Manager for Wake Downtown (Continued advocacy for Green Labs best practices, most recently through advocacy for consistent collection infrastructure for recyclable gloves and pipettes; originally awarded in 2024 for his commitment to reducing the footprint of lab spaces through operational and behavioral change); Alan Winkler, Manager Waste Services (Continued leadership for waste reduction on campus and providing continuity through data collection and tracking; originally awarded in 2015 for radical waste diversion after establishing the University’s Surplus Property Program in 2011); Paul Whitener, Associate Director of Digital Fabrication and Maker Education (Continued promotion of waste reduction principles and practices through creative reuse, repurposing and upcycling almost every kind of material imaginable at WakerSpace; originally awarded in 2023 for staff leadership); Quin Wolters, Sustainability Coordinator for Harvest Table, & Chef Jonathan Burns, Director of Culinary Development for Harvest Table Culinary Group at Wake Forest (Updating the campus dining weekly invoice auditing system to perform spend analyses and identify new opportunities to introduce third-party verified products across the supply chain; awarded separately, in 2024 and 2025, for leadership and contributions to sustainability in dining)
- Academics & Engagement: Dr. Steve Smith, Assistant Teaching Professor in the Program for Environment and Sustainability Studies (commitment to engaged & experiential learning for sustainability)
- Resource Conservation: Jimmy Nifong, Assistant Director of Utilities (technical oversight and coordination of the renewal and expansion of the university’s South Chiller Plant)
- Service & Social Action: Chef Jonathan Burns, Director of Culinary Development for Harvest Table Culinary Group at Wake Forest (commitment to prioritizing products that have earned third-party certification for environmental and social responsibility and for his support of independent small-scale farming operations that prioritize the health of soil, ecosystems, and communities)
- Bright Idea: Tim Kerr, Assistant Director Facilities Services (Creation of the unique surplus “shopping” opportunity that rehomed 383 units of furniture and other goods from Alumni Hall, diverting over 33,000 lbs. (16 tons) from the landfill and representing nearly $230k in avoided costs for new furnishings and supplies for offices and departments across campus)
- Everyday Champions: Seth Looney, Utilities Systems Manager (Support of Campus Engaged Learning through the integration of stormwater management features and utility projects under his purview into courses and assignments); Hannah Duane, Events & Operations Project Manager in University Development (Integration of waste reduction and diversion principles into the University’s homecoming celebrations, including partnering to make Homecoming’s largest on-campus gathering, Party, So Dear, a zero-landfill event)
- Leadership: John Wise, Vice President for Hospitality and Auxiliary Services (championing sustainability in all areas of Hospitality & Auxiliary Services)
- Leadership: Jim Mussetter, University Arborist (dedicated stewardship of our campus trees for 31 years)
- Academics & Engagement: Dr. Kyle Luthy, Assistant Professor of Engineering (commitment to engaged & experiential learning for sustainability)
- Academics & Engagement: Scott Schang, JD, Director of the Environmental Law Clinic and Professor of the Practice (leadership of the Environmental Law Clinic)
- Resource Conservation: Craig Zakrzewski, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Capital Projects and Operations, and Randy Casstevens, Executive Associate Athletic Director and Chief Financial Officer (stewardship of LED lighting conversion project in two major athletic venues (Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium and the Tennis Center))
- Service & Social Action: Deb Marke, Assistant Director of Advocacy and Social Justice Education, Office of Civic & Community Engagement – demonstrated commitment to environmental justice education and empowerment of learners of all ages
- Bright Idea: Jason Campbell, Assistant Director of Transportation & Parking Services (hiring retired educators as drivers for the Wake Line shuttle system)
- Everyday Champions: Karl Erik, Director of Operations at Reynolda House (efforts to improve sustainability in operations at Reynolda House, resulting in a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions at Reynolda House from the previous year), Jo Hamilton, Academic Coordinator, Environment & Sustainability Studies Program (advocacy and implementation of sustainable practices in the Economics Department and the Environment & Sustainability Studies Program), Brian Smith, Lab Manager for Wake Downtown and Salem Hall (reduction of the carbon footprint of WFU’s lab spaces through years of implementing operational and behavioral change management among students, staff, and faculty), Quin Wolters, Sustainability Coordinator for Harvest Table Culinary Group (implementation of innovative sustainability programs in Wake Forest dining practices, including waste reduction and diversion efforts, sustainable purchasing, and cultivating a sustainability-minded culture within the Deacon Dining team)
- Student Leadership: Meredith Power (’23)
- Student Leadership: Isabella Gerace (’25)
- Academic Leadership: Dr. Julie Velásquez Runk, Environmental Program
- Staff Leadership: TechX 2023, Information Systems
- Staff Leadership: Paul Whitener, WakerSpace
- Lifetime Service: J.L. Bolt, Facilities and Campus Services
- Lifetime Service: Mike Draughn, Facilities and Campus Services
- Lifetime Service: Hof Milam, University Leadership
- Curriculum Catalyst: Dr. Keith Bonin (guiding development of the ENV program)
- Teacher Scholar Ideal: Dr. Paul Thacker (teacher-scholar engagement and inspiration for experiential learning)
- Visionary Leadership: Dr. Miles Silman (creation of CEES, establishment of CINCIA, research/scholarly leadership)
- Engaged Learning: Dr. Tangela Towns (SOC329 Health Inequalities)
- Engaged Learning: Dr. Mark Curtis (ENV241 Natural Resource & Environmental Economics)
- Co-Curricular Education: Savannah Baber (dedication to engaging and educational environmental justice-focused programming)
- Student Leadership: Una Wilson (environmental justice-focused journalism and communications)
- Student Initiative: Sophie Eldridge, Aidan Norris, Harper Shanly, and Alisa Zhu (Hammock Haven)
- Bright Idea: ESG Leadership Team (creation of inaugural ESG@Wake programming)
- Academics & Engagement: Becky Dickson (geospatial analysis of sustainability)
- Resource Conservation: Mike Draughn (indoor air quality and energy savings)
- Service & Social Action: Justin Green (environmental debate program); Julia McElhinny and Carolina Conway (Energy Explorers program)
- Bright Idea: Sophie Wimberley (textile waste diversion)
- Leadership: Rowie Kirby-Straker (climate feminism leadership)
- Student Organization: Ocean and Marine Conservation Club (engaging and educational programming)
- Everyday Champions: Karl Darr (Reynolda Village Landscaping Team); Madison Fishler (Health and Wellness Manager & Culinary Dietitian, Harvest Table Culinary Group); Sean McGlynn (Center for Global Programs and Studies – Green Team Captain); Elizabeth Whiting Pierce (Program for Leadership and Character – Green Team Captain)
- Academics & Engagement: Chris Zarzar, Kyana Young, and Courtney Di Vittorio (watershed modeling and remediation at High Rock Lake)
- Resource Conservation: Tim Mitchell and Doug Ecklund (energy conservation through building scheduling)
- Service & Social Action: International Justice Mission (IJM) – WFU Chapter (Threads thrift shop)
- Bright Idea: Jeff Eller, Amanda Foster Kaufman, and Kathy Shields (ZSR Wellness and Sustainability Committee; self-run organics collection program)
- Leadership: Sakina Barthe-Sukhera (Climate Strike WFU); Monet Beatty (“Breathe” dance production; reaching new audiences); Reed Fedowitz (sustainable purchasing standards with APO)
- Everyday Champions: Jason Belo (Everyday sustainability leader for Human Resources – Green Team Captain); Barbara Lardin (Establishing the laptop take-back program and expanding e-cycling efforts)
- Academics & Engagement: Abdou Lachgar (chemistry for the environment — catalyst that converts waste to advanced biofuels)
- Resource Conservation: Mike Draughn and the Maintenance and Utilities Services Team (Wake Forest energy plan)
- Service & Social Action: Mark Jensen (faith, health and ecological well-being)
- Bright Idea: Emily Smith (reusable Lovefeast luminaries)
- Everyday Champions: Tim Covey (Information Systems everyday leadership); Morey Graham (University Advancement Green Team captain); Brooke Orr (Registered Dietician, Harvest Table Culinary Group); Kat Pitchford (Compost Crew shift leader and dedicated student volunteer)
- Academics & Engagement: Jill Crainshaw (Sacraments and Ordinances: History, Theology and Practice)
- Resource Conservation: Josh Suzuki (organic waste diversion program at LJVM Coliseum and BB&T Field)
- Service & Social Action: Alan Brown, Wendell Dunn, and Bailey Allman (Paisley Middle School Sports Literacy Program)
- Bright Idea: Becky Dickson, Jed Macosko, and John Shenette (Project Nightlight)
- Leadership: Anna-Marie Carr (sustainable event planning within HR)
- Everyday Champions: Hilary Floyd (School of Divinity Green Team captain); Michelle Ford (Department of Biology Green Team captain); Jordan Mullens, (Delta Zeta Greeks Go Green Representative); T Taylor (Graduate Hall Director for Kitchin Residence Hall); Tim Vandermeersch (District Manager, Harvest Table Culinary Group)
- Academics & Engagement: Amanda Lanier (environmental education at Reynolda Gardens); Preston Stockton (Reynolda Meadow Project)
- Resource Conservation: Facilities & Campus Services and Residence Life & Housing (Hearn Plaza residence hall renovations)
- Service & Social Action: Angela King (Enno Farms – model of sustainable practices)
- Bright Idea: Customer and Custodial Services (dry floor stripping); Steven Fisenne (chemical inventory system); Lesli Tuttle (electronic tax form adoption)
- Leadership: Sebastian Irby (Interdisciplinary major in Sustainability Studies)
- Everyday Champions: Sarah Fahmy (Student-Athlete Sustainability Network)
- Academics & Engagement: Sarah Mason (FYS: “Counting on Sustainable Energy: Does it Add Up?”); Vanessa Zboreak (Sustainability Law and Policy courses)
- Resource Conservation: Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (paperless processes); Jessica Wallace and John Wise (zero-landfill program at North Dining)
- Service & Social Action: Justin Catanoso (climate change reporting); Marianne Magjuka (NC Power Dialog)
- Bright Idea: Lee Collette and Eric Stottlemyer (Contemplative Approaches to Global Sustainability in Alaska); David Link (honeybee program at WFU Campus Garden)
- Leadership: Alyshah Aziz (Re-Cycle Bike Share Program); Dan Rossow (sustainable event planning at Reynolda House)
- Everyday Champions: Gail Bretan (inclusive programming – Tu B’Shevat); John Kiger and Preston Stockton (mentorship in the Campus Garden); John Noble (waste reduction at The Bridge); Tanisha Ramachandran (social justice – Department for the Study of Religions); Natascha Romeo and Sharon Woodard (intersections of health and sustainability in HES courses); Janine Tillett (all-star volunteer in the Campus Garden)
- Academics & Engagement: Ron Von Burg (Humanity and Nature and Coasts and Climate Change in Belize)
- Resource Conservation: Office of the Registrar (paperless PIN project); Surplus Property Program (radical waste diversion)
- Service & Social Action: Steve Boyd (religion and public engagement)
- Bright Idea: JL Bolt and Frank Shelton (repurposing discarded wood [“Saw-stainability”])
- Everyday Champions: Barbara Macri (Human Resources Green Team captain); Kate Ruley (Aramark Green Team captain)
- Academics & Engagement: Wanda Balzano; Lynn Book, and Angela Kocze (Women, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainability)
- Resource Conservation: Financial Services (paperless processes); Residence Life & Housing (radical energy, water, and waste reduction)
- Service & Social Action: Shelley Sizemore (food justice)
- Bright Idea: Abby McNeal (UgMo wireless soil sensor system at Spry Stadium)
- Everyday Champions: Carol Lavis (innovation in leadership in leadership as the Department of Theatre and Dance Green Team captain); Peter Romanov (innovation in leadership as the ZSR Library Green Team captain); Darlene Starnes (innovation in leadership as the Office of Multicultural Affairs Green Team captain)