Environmental Studies

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Fairfield supports the scholarly success and intellectual growth of our students by providing various resources on campus including the Science Center, Writing Center, DiMenna-Nyselius Library, and more.

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The Environment Studies program is also linked closely with Fairfield's international programs which include a research program in Brazil and developmental projects in Haiti and Nicaragua, all of which provide unique experiences.

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Awarded annually, the prestigious Outstanding Student in the Environmental Studies Program Award is given to a senior student in the Program who has achieved exemplary academic success and made significant contributions to both the Program and campus sustainability efforts. Established two decades ago, recent winners of this award include Alexandra Gross (2008), Stacy Davis (2009), Alexandra Roem (2010), Dana August (2011), Zachary Gross (2012), Terry O’Brien (2012), Helen Nelson (2013), Alexandra Fylypovych (2014), Kayla Urbanowski (2017), Olivia Headen (2018), and Julia Noujeim (2019).

The Student Research Award is given annually to students enrolled in the Program for outstanding research achievements in environmental and sustainability issues. Given for the first time in 2013, recent winners include Hope Marino '21 and Danielle Profita '24.

The Leaders in Campus Sustainability Award is awarded annually by a vote of the Environment Studies program faculty to an individual or group that has made a difference in the quality of sustainability efforts on campus. Created in 2012, winners of this award include:

• Professor James Biardi for his exemplary leadership role in developing the Fairfield University Campus Sustainability Plan. His leadership and tireless efforts were critical in developing a living blueprint for enhancing and maintaining the sustainability of Fairfield's campus and operations and will have a lasting and important impact on our campus.
• John Perry ‘13 for his work researching, designing, and implementing the construction of a rainwater collection system for the Barone Campus Center.
  Associate Professors of BiologyProfessor Jennifer Klug and Professor Tod Osier for creating the Campus Garden. Their leadership in generating support for this initiative, building the garden itself, overseeing its operation, and involving students in educational and co-curricular activities involving the garden have had a lasting and important impact on our campus
• Assistant Vice President of Administration and Student Affairs James Fitzpatrick '70 was given the Award for Lifetime Achievement for his support of campus sustainability and student environmental activities during his long and productive career at Fairfield University.
• Professor Lisa Newton, Professor Emeritus, Department of Philosophy and Founder of the Environment Studies program was given the Award for Lifetime Achievement for her efforts supporting campus sustainability and environmental education during her long and productive career at Fairfield University.

Campus Sustainability Grants are awarded to students to support sustainability efforts on campus. Typically, three grants are awarded per year. Recent winners have included undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences, Dolan School of Business, and School of Engineering for projects focused on water collection systems, recycling innovations, energy efficiency, transportation, food, and other important issues.