Main Content

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? Each year, Champions of Change are honored at our Campus Sustainability Awards Ceremony during our campus-wide Earth Month celebration, which takes place annually late March through April. Nominations typically open late February and are accepted for students, faculty, and staff who advance sustainability through 5 categories.

Champions of Change 2024

The 11th annual Champions of Change awards ceremony took place Tuesday, April 9 from 3:00 – 4:00 pm. The award winners were announced by Provost Michele Gillespie and Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer Jackie Travisano. All Wake Forest students, faculty, and staff were welcome and invited to celebrate this year’s award winners and nominees.

Champions of Change Categories

Academics and Engagement (teaching, research, engaged learning)
Nominations may include classes with sustainability-focused learning outcomes, research in sustainability-focused areas, and/or opportunities to learn about sustainability through practical application.

Resource Conservation (energy, water, or waste reduction)
Nominations may include projects and efforts that have resulted in energy conservation, water conservation, waste reduction, or a combination of these areas.

Service and Social Action
Nominations may include service projects or campaigns that result in social and/or environmental justice outcomes for individuals and the communities served.

Bright Ideas (innovative ideas that have been or could be implemented)
Nominations may include sustainability-focused projects, efforts, or ideas that are unique and innovative on the Wake Forest campus.

Leadership
Nominations from all categories are considered for the Leadership award.

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,
The level of participation by colleagues within the department or unit,
Measurable impact among constituents across campus or in the community served (students, faculty, staff, and/or community members) and
Any additional information or data available to support the nomination.

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)

Are We Solving the Right Problems? A Guide for Rising Sustainability LeadersDecember 13, 2024
Perspectives on Sustainability, Quarterly Newsletter By Ashley Wilcox, Director of Sustainability Initiatives for the School of Business Whether you’re just […]
12 Champions of Change Honored at 11th Annual Campus Sustainability AwardsApril 17, 2024
On April 9, the Office of Sustainability hosted the 11th annual Champions of Change Campus Sustainability Awards. Each year […]
Champions of Change Recognized at Eighth Campus Sustainability AwardsApril 26, 2021
Written by Sophia Masciarelli, (’22) Each year, the Office of Sustainability recognizes campus change agents who work as “Champions of […]
Office of Sustainability Engages Community in Virtual Earth Day CelebrationMay 11, 2020
By Melissa Cooney for the Old Gold & Black, originally posted here. Although students are unable to celebrate Earth Day […]
Seeking Innovative, Visionary, Change-Makers: Nominate a Champion of Change TodayFebruary 5, 2020
Do you know an individual who has made an impact on campus sustainability at Wake Forest? Nominate them for […]
Eight Campus Leaders Recognized at Sixth Annual Campus Sustainability AwardsApril 9, 2019
Over 70 students, faculty and staff gathered on Monday, April 1 to celebrate the start of Earth Week 2019 and […]