President’s Corner Dear Friends, “Sustainability” is a widespread buzzword these days—so many institutions are working hard to be green and to focus on conserving resources (economic, social, natural, cultural). At Prescott College, we are walking our talk about sustainability and conservation, and we want to share some examples in this issue of Transitions. By signing the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, we have promised to become carbon neutral in the next few years. Our newly constructed student townhouses, for example, will produce 20 percent more energy than they use. To strengthen our impact on these important—indeed, critical—issues, we partner with organizations such as the Arizona Wilderness Coalition and the Student Conservation Association, among others. We’re also part of two higher education consortia: the Eco League and the Consortium for Innovative Environments in Learning, a growing network of progressive colleges across the United States. These partnerships increase our capacity and options for students working in the fields of sustainability and conservation. We are an ongoing organizational member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education and will be holding a workshop this spring in conjunction with one of their consltants, Mitch Tomashow, through our annual Ph.D. in Sustainability Education Symposium. Our Journal of Sustainability Education is another example of the College’s significant contribution to the global knowledge on preserving, conserving, and sustaining the natural environment and existing cultural traditions. Before sustainability became a buzzword, Prescott College was a pioneer in the field, leading the way for others to follow. Consonant with the Prescott College mission and focus on experiential education, our faculty and students are deeply involved in research and hands-on practice. The stories in this magazine highlight the work of faculty members Walt Anderson and Anita Fernández, along with alumnus Kristopher Young’s sustainable disaster relief student project turned full-time nonprofit, PROViDE, and the lobbying activities of Arizona Wilderness Coalition interns.These are but a few of the exciting projects that continue to be initiated and implemented by the Prescott College community. They reinforce the primacy of sustainability and environmental stewardship that has been a hallmark of the College throughout its history. Today, the College is in a time of transition. We’re building and improving the physical plant, expanding digital resources, developing a Master of Arts in Humanities with a concentration in Social Justice and Human Rights, launching professional certificate programs through the Lifelong Learning Center, and looking toward a bright future. Nonetheless, with all these changes, Prescott College remains true to who we are and have always been: a champion of the liberal arts, the environment, and social justice. Warm regards,
President Woolever planting tree at the Dan and Barbara Garvey Welcome Center, 2010
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Transitions Spring 2012
Dr. Kristin R. Woolever