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I am pleased to share a few recent highlights from the Franklin Environmental Center at Hillcrest. I hope these stories give you a taste of the vibrant courses, programs, and initiatives in which our students and faculty are engaged. Please make special note of two new opportunities for you, including a course on sustainability at this year’s Alumni College and a new integrated degree program in International Environmental Policy at the Monterey Institute. My heartfelt thanks for your collective support and energy.
—Nan Jenks-Jay, Dean of Environmental Affairs

Sustainability class being offered at Alumni College
Join alumni, parents, and friends at Bread Loaf this August for Alumni College XXXV. One class being offered is Sustainability at Middlebury College, and Beyond, taught by Jack Byrne and Stephen Trombulak. read more

Middlebury and Monterey team up to offer an integrated degree program in International Environmental Policy
Through the new integrated degree programs offered by Middlebury College and the Monterey Institute of International Studies, students will have the opportunity to earn a BA from Middlebury and an MA from Monterey in five years. The programs are retroactively available to qualified Middlebury alumni, like Oren Frey '02, who is currently pursuing an MA in International Environmental Policy. read more

Celebration of nature and the arts in honor of John Elder
John Elder gave the annual Scott A. Margolin '99 Lecture in Environmental Affairs, which was followed by a weekend of events related to nature, art, and creativity. John Elder, professor emeritus of environmental studies/English & American Literatures, retired after 37 years of teaching at Middlebury College. read more

Middlebury team selected for Solar Decathlon
A group of Middlebury students became the first team from a small liberal arts college ever selected to participate in the Solar Decathlon competition sponsored by the Department of Energy. The students will be one of 20 teams to construct a solar-powered house of their own design for entry in the 2011 competition in Washington, D.C. read more

Senior seminar investigates renewable energy
This year all three sections of the senior seminar (ENVS 401) studied different aspects of renewable energy as it relates to Middlebury College and the state of Vermont. Students in the fall and winter focused on aspects of biomass gasification and its merits for carbon neutrality, while students in the spring term looked at options for solar power at Middlebury College and at the county and statewide level. read more

Student house eats all local, all year
Students living in the campus environmental house served only locally produced food at their dinners this past year. Working during the summer, they preserved enough food to last them through the winter, supplemented by other local products, including flour and milk. read more

Highlights from Middlebury's sustainability initiatives
Members of the College community constantly find new and creative ways to advance sustainability on campus and beyond as we make strides toward carbon neutrality. This year, Middlebury created a new Sustainable Investment Initiative and the Environmental Council funded nearly $25,000 in campus projects. The College also continues to explore options to increase renewable energy. read more

Franklin Environmental Center at Hillcrest, Middlebury
Sustainability@middlebury.edu www.middlebury.edu/sustainability/