CHARGING OUR GREEN INITIATIVES

CLC, a 2023 Green College according to Princeton Review, recently adopted a renewed 3-year college-wide sustainability plan to conserve energy, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2042. One way CLC accomplishes its sustainability goals is by encouraging the use of low carbon transportation by providing electric vehicle charging stations.

CLC installed its first electric car charging station in 2018 during the construction of the LEED Platinum science building. The college has two dual-port stations at the Grayslake Campus with another on the way. The plan is to also install a charging station at the Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan.

Battery charging at CLC is free for the first three hours and $2 every hour after. Students and faculty can charge up while on campus and community members can stop by to recharge anytime.

“When we think about the threats of climate change in our future, it is super important to make sure we, including CLC, do all we can to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience,” Sustainability Manager David Husemoller said.

CLC is also working toward reducing overall energy usage. Grant funding from the Illinois Green Economy Network is being used to meter buildings to help understand how energy is used around the college.

The word philanthropy comes from the Greek language and means “lover of humanity.” It’s used to describe anyone who contributes to making the world a better place.

Who comes to mind when you think of philanthropy?

Oprah Winfrey?

Bill Gates? People who can give millions of dollars to change the world?

CLC Foundation Executive Director and Chief Development Officer Kurt Peterson is on a mission to challenge this notion.

That means anyone can be a philanthropist. Even you and me. How will we change the world with the resources we have to share?

Learn more about Peterson’s mission in episode three of the CLC Connects podcast. CLC Connects Podcast brings the expert knowledge of our faculty and staff to you. Have a question? CLC has an expert for that. New episodes of CLC Connects come out every other Tuesday. Find it wherever you listen to podcasts.

CLC held its first mid-year commencement to celebrate summer and fall graduates in 2022. More than 1,200 graduates, including 44 with military affiliation, received degrees and certificates from 40 different academic programs.

“It’s been an amazing experience. The teachers here are amazing and helped me excel in my career more than I ever anticipated or even knew was possible. I’ve made lifelong friends, and I’m really proud to be here tonight.” -

Emma Borovka

“I’m just so happy and blessed to be a college student and to have such wonderful people at CLC to help me through it. I don’t think I would have made it without their support.”

- Mia Diaz