Bellevue College wins prestigious Climate Leadership Award

Bellevue College wins prestigious Climate Leadership Award

Award recognizes campus’s innovation, education and leadership in sustainability

Bellevue College is one of just 10 colleges or universities nationwide selected to receive a prestigious Climate Leadership Award in recognition of its efforts to improve campus sustainability. The awards are presented annually to signatory institutions of the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) that demonstrate innovative and advanced leadership in education for Second Nature Climate Leadership Award 2013 Winner plaque sustainability and climate mitigation and adaptation.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to receive this recognition,” said BC President David L. Rule, Ph.D. “The award validates all of our proactive efforts to improve sustainability, which in turn are contributing to a more livable environment.”

In addition to this award, Bellevue College’s sustainability achievements have in recent months received a Governor’s Commute Smart Award and a Diamond Award from Commuter Challenge. Noteworthy initiatives include: the installation of several electric vehicle charging stations, including a rare DC fast charger; a comprehensive project to upgrade campus lighting, water and HVAC systems to substantially reduce energy consumption, incorporating geothermal heating and solar power; programs to encourage alternate means of transport, including a ride-match website to facilitate carpooling; and a drive to integrate sustainability throughout the instructional curriculum combined with a student-created sustainability fund. BC has produced a video highlighting these efforts: www.bellevuecollege.edu/sustainability

This year, the award program’s fourth, drew the most competitive pool of nominations to date. The winners came from 20 finalists announced earlier this year, representing a diverse group of institutions, including community colleges, research universities and professional schools. The awards are administered by Second Nature, a nonprofit co-founded by Secretary of State John Kerry and his wife, Teresa Heinz, to foster a more sustainable environment by transforming the practice of higher education. It is a supporting organization of the ACUPCC, of which Bellevue College is one of more than 650 signatory institutions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org.

About Bellevue College:  Chosen by 37,000 students last year, Bellevue College (BC) is one of the largest educational institutions in Washington State. BC offers associate degree programs covering the first two years of a college education as well as four-year bachelor’s degrees, certificates and continuing education programs in more than 90 professional and technical fields, such as information technology, telecommunications, business, education, health and public safety. Visit Bellevue College on the web at www.bellevuecollege.edu

Last Updated January 7, 2014