The Environmental March Madness tournament was designed to evaluate colleges and universities on environmental degree programs and curriculum, environmental opportunities for students and campus sustainability efforts. To move on to the “Environmental Eight,” the “Sustainable 16” were evaluated on their initial survey, as well as the second round of supplementary essays, videos and photos submitted by students and faculty. In total, the “Sustainable 16” submitted more than 800 photos, 150 essays and 30 videos. These “Environmental Eight,” schools were narrowed down further to determine the “Finest Four,” and ultimately the “National Champion.”
This annual tournament runs from February to April and this year the winner was Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. The 2013 National Champion received a $5,000 cash prize, and an all-expenses-paid trip for the department head or another representative to attend Enviance’s annual User Conference, April 22 to 26, in San Diego. The top two students from schools advancing to the Finest Four, with the most compelling supporting materials and tournament participation, will be awarded Google Nexus tablets.
In 2013 the “Environmental Eight” colleges and universities were recognized by the judges for their excellence in environmental academics and sustainability practices, as well as an exceptional level of student and faculty engagement in the tournament.
The “Environmental Eight” are (alphabetically):
• Colorado State University
• George Mason University
• Michigan State University
• Middlebury College
• Ohio State University
• University of California Santa Barbara
• University of Virginia
• University of Washington
“We were very impressed by both the quality of the essay, video and photo submissions from faculty and staff of the ‘Sustainable 16,’ and by the quantity of material submitted,” said Lawrence Goldenhersh, CEO and president of Enviance, and a tournament judge.
The submissions detailed comprehensive academic programs, impressive on- and off-campus environmental and sustainability initiatives, and a fierce campus-wide commitment to sustainability with deep roots in the student body, the faculty, University/College leadership and the facilities management personnel.
“We congratulate the ‘Environmental Eight’ for advancing to the next round of the tournament and the entire round of 16 for plainly evidencing a deep commitment to environmental excellence.”
The contest is run with the support of Enviance, Inc., in partnership with GreenBiz Group and Qualtrics.
For more information on the Environmental March Madness tournament, please email Enviance@schwartzmsl.com, or visit enviance.com/march-madness.
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