On April 22, six members of the Pitt community were honored with Pitt Sustainability Award. Launched in 2015, the awards recognize Pitt faculty, staff, students, and groups who are making a substantial impact in one or more of the three areas of sustainability: stewardship, exploration, community, and culture.
Sustainability Award Winners
Danielle Andrews-Brownlecturer in the Department of Geology and Environmental Sciences at the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, and Cassie QuigleyAssociate Department Head and Associate Professor in the School of Education’s Department of Teaching, Learning and Leadership, were recognized for their work in creating the Freedom of Environmental Justice Seminars.
Mei Yu-Kephalogianis has worked for Pitt Housing Services since 2010 and has been the lead housekeeper at Nordenberg Hall since it opened in 2013. A champion of sustainable practices in the residence, Yu-Kephalogianis received the department’s Harvie Keppler Award in 2015 for going beyond the Pitt’s mission, vision and values.
Brandon Brewer, an environmental science major with minors in environmental engineering and studio arts, used a new technique involving an XD fluorescence spectrometer to study the effects of green infrastructure on the soil around campus . Brewster also helped lead a team of Pitt students to second place in the US EPA Rainworks Challenge Last year.
Aaron Carrmajor in environmental science, developed a host of educational programs, created a construction waste audit methodology, and expanded the Pitt Green Resident Programduring his three years as Pitt EcoRep. Carr is also the transportation coordinator for the Pitt Student Chapter of the Food Recovery Network.
Felicity Shaferdegree in environmental studies, worked for the Office of Sustainability as an intern in sustainable development communication for two years, chaired Pitt’s Earth Month 2022 Planning Committee and is the secretary of Plant2Plate. Shafer also created the University’s Sustainability Learning Community, launched in the fall of 2023, and developed and ran the newest student sustainability showcase.
In addition, several students have been named sustainability champions:
Annalize Abraham, English Writing and Urban Studies
Emily Albrecht, psychology
Suchi Attota, IT
Anita Bargaje, computational biology, chemistry and global health
Jared Deluccia, economics and history
Matthew Hess, environmental studies
Lucy Klug, environmental studies
Taylor Laing, Environmental Studies
Danny Nigh, Business Administration
Meri Raughley, ecology and evolution
Madison Stanley, political science
Abby Zolner, environmental studies