April 2, 2010
Contact:
Elizabeth Klipp, 404-413-1356
University Relations
ATLANTA - Georgia State will celebrate Earth Week April 5-10 with a variety of events focused on sustainability and environmental awareness.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 8, the "GSU Earth Day Celebration" will be held in Veterans Memorial Hall in Alumni Hall. Representatives from local environmental businesses and nonprofit organizations will answer questions about green jobs, offer free food samples and talk about sustainability.
At 12:15 p.m., the winning entry of the GSU Bikes Bicycle Rack Competition will be unveiled on the sidewalk just outside the Student Center. Supported by a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, the contest invited students to design a bike rack that is functional, aesthetically pleasing and would get students cycling. Student artist Spencer Murrill had the winning design.
"I hope that it will draw some attention to the fact that there are a lot people who already bike to campus, but that there are also at lot people who are interested in cycling who maybe need a little help to get started," said Ruth Stanford, assistant professor of sculpture and faculty adviser for the GSU Bikes, a student-led project to encourage bicycling on campus.
Leading up to the Earth Day Celebration, Georgia State will host several green bag luncheons on various environmental issues in the Lainer Suite of the GSU Student Center, located on 44 Courtland St.
Cherilynn Morrow, professor of physics and astronomy, and Jeremy Diem, associate professor of Geosciences will speak at noon April 5 about "NASA Global Climate Change Education at GSU." On April 6, Peggy Whitlow Ratcliff, owner of Living Green Pages.com, will talk and answer questions about sustainable businesses. On April 7, Chris Jackman, GSU director of building services, will discuss sustainable practices being implemented at the university.
Other Earth Week events include "Yoga with Janet Wice" from noon to 1 p.m. on April 9 in the Dance Studio of the Athletics Building, Room 260. Sponsored by the Office of Employee Development and Wellness Service, this event will show participants how to discover a natural way to relax and recharge.
The week will close with a day of community service and a cookout from noon to 3:30 p.m. on April 10 at Wonderroot, located 982 Memorial Dr. Individuals are invited to work with the Atlanta non-profit organization, which is dedicated to bringing the arts and community service together through education and public beautification projects.
To volunteer at the "GSU Earth Day Celebration" or at the Wonderroot community service project, visit the GSU Office of Civic Engagement, located in suite 320 of the Student Center.
"GSU Earth Week" is sponsored by Employee Development and Wellness Services, the Office of Civic Engagement, the Atlanta Herpetology Club, Greening Georgia State, the Sustainable Energy Tribe, GSU Building Services, the Department of Physics and Astronomy, the Department of Geosciences, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education, Circle K International, GreenCorps AmeriCorps and the fraternity, Sigma Nu.