In order to recognize students for their leadership in sustainability, The Office of Campus Sustainability, Center for Serve-Learn-Sustain, Georgia Tech Global Change Program, Strategic Energy Institute, Atlanta Global Studies Center, and Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business have partnered together to co-sponsor the inaugural Sustainability Student Champion Award. This new student award was presented during Georgia Tech’s week-long Earth Day celebration, centering on the Institute Strategic Plan and Earth Day celebration theme, “Amplify Impact”. A Student Sustainability Champion amplifies impact through inspiration, action, and the achievement of sustainability goals. The award application is open to all Georgia Tech students who demonstrate sustainability leadership with a lasting impact on campus culture and institutional sustainability progress.
This year President Ángel Cabrera along with the Office of Campus Sustainability Associate Director, Anne Rogers presented the Student Sustainability Champion awards to Thiago Esslinger, a third-year College of Sciences undergraduate student, and Atticus Lemahieu, a third-year Environmental Engineering undergraduate student.
“This year we had so many exceptional students nominated that we expanded the award to recognize two students for their contributions. We selected a Student Sustainability Champion Award Winner and an Honorable Mention”, said Anne.
The inaugural Student Sustainability Champion Award went to Thiago Esslinger. Thiago is President of Students Organizing for Sustainability (SOS), a student organization dedicated to promoting the awareness and implementation of sustainable practices. He is also the Residential Sustainability Engagement Assistant leading the EcoReps sustainability ambassador program for Resident Advisors and co-founded the student action groups Fridays for Future GT and GT Divestment from Fossil Fuels.
The Student Sustainability Champion Honorable Mention award was gifted to Atticus Lemahieu. Atticus is the Co-President of the Association of Environmental Engineers and Scientists where he has worked on events and programming around equity, inclusion, and environmental justice and is an inaugural member of Georgia Tech’s EcoReps program. He also works with Serve-Learn-Sustain and helped create the UN Regional Center of Expertise Greater Atlanta Youth Network to promote sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals across 10 universities in the greater Atlanta area.
Thiago and Atticus have gone above and beyond in their dedication to sustainability at Georgia Tech. Dr. Kim Cobb, Director of the Global Change Program, summarized how Georgia Tech students inspire and demonstrate sustainability leadership: “Thiago and Atticus model the behaviors we all hope for in our current and future students. They embody sustainability through inclusive leadership and passion to leave behind a better campus.”
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