News and Events
BENNETT APPOINTED TO RENEWAL STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM
St. Davids, PA, January 29, 2009: On January 1, Eastern University sophomore Brittany Bennett was appointed to the Student Leadership Team of Renewal, an organization devoted to the care of God's environment, the earth, and each other. Renewal, launched in 2008, is a participatory network made up of Christian college students and campuses. Eastern sophomore Tyler Sheaffer was one of the key organizers behind the launch of Renewal and its first Environmental Student Leadership Summit. Held at Eastern, the Summit brought over 50 Christian students from throughout North America together so they could connect with other students to acquire practical skills to use to engage their campuses, local churches and communities in creation care.
Bennett, an environmental studies major and native of Lovettsville, VA, feels very fortunate for the opportunity to play such a big role in creation care, especially where her heart is -- at Eastern. "To me, my participation in Renewal and experiences at Eastern go hand in hand," Bennett said. "I have become more involved in justice and creation care initiatives and have really become inspired to look at other Christian environmental organizations."
"Students like Brittany Bennett who are willing to get involved in efforts related to the continued ‘greening' of Eastern are essential," Bettie Ann Brigham, Vice President for Student Development, said. "As we have strived to reduce our carbon footprint at Eastern, the most productive efforts over the years have been lead by students who have a heart and calling and are able to use their influence to push individuals and groups to make changes."
As a leadership team member for Renewal, 19-year-old Bennett has begun spearheading Renewal's events and initiatives, representing Renewal on the Eastern St. Davids campus. Bennett has found that her college education and Eastern's emphasis on justice and social service have helped her to be a better Renewal leader. "Being involved at Eastern, a school that teaches a lot about justice, has really helped me to see environmental issues as justice issues because they can deeply affect neighborhoods and communities," Bennett said.
Renewal is sponsoring a day of service in April, in addition to many other events on the Eastern campus. In addition, the Greener Eastern Initiative, run cooperatively by the Earthkeepers Club, the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and the Student Government Association, is kicking off a month-long effort in February devoted to energy conservation and sustainability. Events are as follows:
RECYCLING PRESENTATION on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 3p.m. McInnis 121, St. Davids. Brendan from Allied Waste (Eastern's recycling company) will give a presentation on the recycling process and answer questions from students and faculty.
ENVIRONMENTAL FAIR on Thursday, Feb. 5 from 11a.m. to 3p.m. McInnis Lobby, St. Davids. Displays will be set up by different environmental groups and companies.
GREEN HOUSE TOUR on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 10a.m. to 1p.m. Charlie Szoradi, CEO of GREENandSAVE.com, will be giving tours of his residence (in Wayne at 356 Homestead Rd.) that has been renovated to be one of the most eco-friendly homes in America. SIFE will provide van transportation for students. Two vans are reserved. 50 people can have a guided tour, but the house is also open to people who just want to look around.
RESIDENCE HALL ENERGY COMPETITION began Feb. 1.
For more information about Renewal, Eastern University's environmental month activities, events mentioned here, or to find out more about opportunities to support this movement, contact Brittany Bennett (717.659.4945 or brittanybennett.01@gmail.com) or Bettie Ann Brigham (bbrigham@eastern.edu or 610.341.5823).
For more information on Renewal, visit http://renewingcreation.org/
