Virginia Western Community College is inviting members of the public to participate in its Earth Week celebration beginning Monday. A series of guest seminars and films will illuminate green practices on individual, business and community levels that can make major impacts on our world.
The following seminars are all free and open to the public:
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Buildings by John Garland, Spectrum Design
Garland, president and principal at Spectrum Design, will discuss why LEED buildings make a difference not only in energy conservation and building sustainability, but also in improving occupancy comfort, work performance and student learning experiences. Garland will also provide a snapshot of the LEED renovation project at Roanoke’s Center in the Square.
11 a.m., Monday, April 18 – Natural Science Center
- Bag It: Is Your Life Too Plastic? by Cristina Siegel, Clean Valley Council
Siegel, the executive director of the Clean Valley Council, will show the non-profit organization’s documentary film “Bag It,” which questions our society’s overuse of plastics and the consequences. Siegel, a former soil and forestry scientist, will discuss simple green practices anyone can adopt following the film.
12:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 19 – Whitman Theater
- Using Carbon Footprints at Home, Campus and in the Community to Reduce Environmental Impacts
by Sean McGinnis, Virginia Tech
McGinnis, the VT Green Engineering Program director, will discuss how to assess environmental impacts on any scale and make positive changes. McGinnis’ research focuses on life cycle analysis, sustainable manufacturing processes, green engineering, design for the environment and engineering education.
2 p.m., Wednesday, April 20 – Fishburn Hall, Training Room, F02
- Preparing Tomorrow’s Engineers: A Curriculum for Sustainability by Ronald Kander, JMU
Kander, the founding director of the School of Engineering at James Madison University, will present the university’s rational for and pedagogical approach to infusing sustainability throughout its new engineering curriculum. The School of Engineering, which accepted its inaugural freshman class in August 2008 was designed to offer students a single, interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree that meets ABET accreditation standards and prepares graduates for the FE examination.
11 a.m., Thursday, April 21 – Fishburn Hall, Training Room, F02
Community members interested in attending are asked to arrive early as space is limited. For maps of Virginia Western campus and parking, please visit http://www.virginiawestern.edu/about/visitingvwcc.php.
