Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/320427
22 | I nsIgh t • J u n e 2 0 14 w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m B y M a r y B e t h M a t z e k P h o to g r a P h s b y s h a n e Va n b ox t e l , I m a g e s t u d I o s UW-Oshkosh champions world-class work in sustainability, business partnerships [ c o n t i n u e d ] » by Leader W hen a group of students came to University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh leaders in the early 2000s with a plea for the school to be more "green," they likely had no idea where their request would lead. Richard Wells and other campus leaders realized becoming more sustainable could not only improve the environment, it could also provide the university with a distinct vision to rally students and staff. "Oshkosh is a comprehensive university," Wells says of the state's third-largest UW campus behind Madison and Milwaukee. "We're not a college known for one area or program, such as music, but rather we do a number of things very well. to bring cohesiveness to our efforts, we looked for themes that could be implemented throughout the university. sustainability is one such distinction," he says. As Wells explains it, the university has three vertical initiatives: sustainability, community involvement and transforming the university's general education. Each is universal and can be used by all of the colleges and programs. "Everyone on campus can be sustainable in one way or another and it gives us all something to hang our hat on," Wells says. "e best part is this sustainability initiative came from our students." e university's green initiatives have earned UW- Oshkosh national recognition, with Sierra Magazine and e Princeton Review naming the school one of the greenest colleges in the nation. "Everyone – students, faculty and staff