Wiess College recognized by FE&P for sustainability efforts

Wiess College recognized by FE&P for sustainability efforts

BY MARK PASSWATERS
Special to the Rice News

Trying to change old habits to improve sustainability is never an easy task. Over the last several years, Wiess College residents have been among the student leaders to support “green” efforts on campus, and they were recognized for it last week.

MARK PASSWATERS

Weiss College students join Barbara White Bryson, associate vice president of FE&P, to scatter native Texas wildflower seeds between Autry Court and Wiess College.

A ceremony, held after native Texas wildflower seeds were scattered between Autry Court and Wiess, was hosted by Facilities, Engineering and Planning (FE&P) and the Lynn R. Lowrey Arboretum. Wiess College was honored with a plaque and a proclamation that noted the college’s environmentally friendly deeds, including the recent acceptance of the community garden on Wiess grounds and continued support of the wildflower meadow.

”We all thought that Wiess College’s adoption of the garden was extraordinary,” said Barbara White Bryson, associate vice president of FE&P and arboretum committee member. ”When you consider all the other green projects Wiess has taken part in, we thought it would be appropriate to recognize their very special contributions.”

The plaque and proclamation, which cited Wiess College ”as being exceptionally supportive of the ‘greening of Rice,”’ were presented to Wiess President Jon Harris Maurer, a senior, and College Master Mike Gustin.

Maurer said Wiess students’ desire to see a green campus drove their efforts to support arboretum projects and to accept and work on the community garden.

”We’re really honored by the recognition, but I’m also proud of the efforts made by Wiess,” he said. ”We hope we can continue to contribute to this ‘green trend.”’

”The Lynn R. Lowrey Arboretum has undertaken a number of projects with the strong support of Wiess College, including the Wiess Grove,” said Kathleen Matthews, dean of the Wiess School of Natural Sciences and arboretum committee member. ”They have been both consistent and generous in assisting the arboretum and should be recognized for their efforts.”

Gustin, professor of biochemistry and cell biology, expressed pride at the recognition bestowed on the Wiess College students.

”I don’t remember something like this happening before,” he said. “It’s a great honor for all of them to be appreciated in this special way. I hope there’s more recognition in the future for all students at Rice who are taking part in preserving the campus environment.”