Sarah Morgan is a senior Environmental Studies and Earth and Environmental Science double major with a minor in Religion Studies. She is involved on campus with the Progressive Student Alliance, ECo, Global Citizenship and UP Special Events. Although she is planning on graduating in May, Sarah will be sticking around Lehigh for another year to take some graduate classes in Environmental Policy. Currently she is working on a thesis about local Pennsylvania land use policy and how watersheds can be better protected. After Lehigh Sarah hopes to work for a land use planning firm a few years before eventually going back to school to become a City Planner. Thank you Sarah for all of your hard work and dedication while attending Lehigh.

In 2008, I graduated from Juniata College with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, where I was a member of the varsity men’s soccer team. I studied abroad in New Zealand at the University of Otago in 2007. This was a wonderful experience; I was able to learn about a new culture and a new country. I was fortunate enough to be able to travel and explore New Zealand. During my senior year at Juniata College I did my capstone project on sustainability attitudes, which sparked a passion for sustainability. I carried this enthusiasm over to Lehigh University when I arrived here this past fall. In November 2008, I went to The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Conference where I presented my research on sustainability attitudes. This conference was extremely motivating and an educational experience.

At Lehigh I am a graduate student in the Earth and Environmental Science department where I am pursuing a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science. My research focus at Lehigh is bio-optics, where Bruce Hargreaves is my advisor. Recently I joined the environmental collation (ECO) at Lehigh and I am becoming active in campus sustainability. After Lehigh I plan on either pursuing a career in environmental consulting or becoming a high school teacher.

This month, the Environmental Initiative would like to acknowledge Mitch for all of his outstanding work! Guthrie Mitchell, others refer to him as the Jolly Green Giant, has conquered his first year after transferring from Penn State to bring an exciting and innovative perspective further into the environmental field. As an undergraduate in the Earth & Environmental Sciences as well as the Environmental Studies programs, he works closely with world-renowned professors, leading researchers and fellow students to tackle the environmental problems we face as a globe. His interests in academia range from terrestrial ecosystems to Green-building to environmental risk assessment. As well as in the classroom, Guthrie is taking a pro-active role in the environment as the Campus Sustainability Intern, spreading awareness with “If Not For Earth, For You!” movie skits while completing the Greenhouse Gas Inventory. “Overpopulation, urban growth, climate change, these problems need to be addressed now. Human’s future depends on it.” He says, as his optimistic view gives us some promise for the future. “Listen, we aren’t completely ruined yet. We need to mitigate to the changes, if we do build, smart-growth is crucial to the survival of Earth as we know it.” Guthrie’s biggest goal this year is to spread environmental awareness while having enough time to laugh, ski, and hike.

Lauren Brinker obtained her B.A. degree in Earth and Environmental Science and Political Science from Lehigh University in 2003. She is currently a graduate student in the Environmental Studies M.A. program in Environmental Policy Design at Lehigh. She is working for the Environmental Initiative on the faculty development project, Environment across the Curriculum.

Prior to returning to Lehigh, Lauren worked as an Environmental Health Specialist for Eagle County Government for three years in Vail, Colorado. Lauren became a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) in 2008.

As an Environmental Studies major with a double minor in Earth and Environmental Sciences and Anthropology, Jessica is obviously interested in sustainability and the environment. She is also on the equestrain team at Lehigh, the Environmental Coalition, and LEAG (Lehigh Environmental Advisory Group). She will graduate from Lehigh this May.

As for the summer and beyond... Jess recently shared; “I have the amazing opportunity to be a "runner" at the Beijing Olympics for the month of August and will be volunteering on an organic farm for the few months before that. This volunteer work is in preparation for my departure to sub-Saharan Africa to serve as a Peace Corps volunteers in the month of September. I have been nominated for a program and have not completely been accepted but will be making my decision whether to serve as a volunteer in the upcoming weeks or months.” Jess’ other post Lehigh interests includes working for an NGO or as a college sustainability coordinator.

Laura Deutsch is a Lehigh Undergraduate student with majors in both Earth and Environmental Sciences and Environmental Studies. While at Lehigh, she has been active in many interesting and diverse activities. Her recent activities such as: Tour Guide for ASA (Association of Student Alumni)- Unity Member, One of the founding members of Eco, Green Action, College Democrats, University Productions-Arts and Excursions Member, Supervisor for Late Night Lehigh in Lamberton, Summer Intern for the Alliance for Sustainable Communities with Peter Crownfield - started a Lehigh University GHG (Greenhouse Gas) Inventory and worked on some beginner steps for "greening" Musikfest and working at the Admission office. Laura and several other Lehigh students will open the February Ei Luncheon with their findings of the Lehigh GHG inventory.

The Green house, Green Action, Powershift, Green Week, Lehigh University Green Council…. these campus related organizations/events involve many hard working students. However, this week we applaud Alice Kodama for her drive to organize, motivate and educate the Lehigh Population on environmental issues.

We must not discount the endless opportunities Lehigh offers for education and personal growth outside the classroom. The events Alice assists in, offer us opportunities to enrich our minds and our social conscious.