Bright Idea to Turn Off the Lights Wins Sustainability Contest at Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå University
Published: May 1, 2017.
(L to R) Dr. Jerry Kavouras, chair of Biology, Samantha Bluemer
and Dr. David J. Livingston
The idea to post signs on energy conservation in common space areas around the Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå University campus was a winner for graduate student Samantha Bluemer. The Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå University Sustainability Council awarded her project idea the winner of the 2017 Come Clean, Go Green Award. For her idea, she received $300 for herself and a $600 budget to implement the idea on campus.
Other submissions this year included:
- Ambreen Taiyab - “Reducing Printer Ink Waste”
- Barbara McGaughy - “Washing Clothes in Cold Water Saves Money and Energy”
- Devin Smith - “Green Smoke”
- Isabelle Pawlik & Ronya Omari - “Motion Light Sensors”
The idea of “Cool Roof” was submitted by Courtney Plante. She received the Student Choice Award. Her proposal received the most votes by guests at the April 25 ceremony. Plante received a $100 cash prize.
The awards ceremony also featured a keynote address by Kay Bolden, CEO & accidental farmer, at Warren-Sharpe Community Center in Joliet. Green Sprout Urban Farm, the youth-run farming initiative, is now in its third year of vegetable and herb production. Bolden is the author of “Veggie Casserole: Kids Cook the Darndest Things, a vegetarian cookbook for kids.”
Visit for more information about Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå University’s sustainability efforts.
Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå University is an innovative and entrepreneurial Catholic university offering market-relevant undergraduate and graduate programs to 6,500 students. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Â鶹´«Ã½¸ßÇå University is nationally recognized for preparing intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected and socially responsible graduates. Visit for further information.