Welcome remarks by Stephanie Boyd, director of the Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives, to the incoming Cass of ‘12. 

 

The Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives works with Facilities, Dining Services, Alumni Relations, Williams College Museum of Art, Campus Safety and Security, the Chaplain’s Office, Public Affairs –  virtually every operating department on campus, as well as the Center for Environmental Studies, student groups and individuals to reduce Williams’ carbon footprint and to promote the adoption of the principles of sustainability. 

 

While doing so, we are also, perhaps more importantly, expanding Williams’ leadership footprint. It is so exciting to look out at this group of first year students and see the faces of the people who will bring unique skills, vision, energy and enthusiasm to the global challenge of climate change.

 

This week you have attended many sessions learning the do’s and don’ts of college life - what you should do, what you need to do, and what not to do.  I would like to share with you this morning a few thoughts on what I know you WILL do.

 

I know some of you will travel to our state and national capitals to participate in rallies urging our country’s leaders to pass new bills and laws that will encourage the development of renewable technologies and green jobs, and you will eventually become the lobbyists, policy advisors, and legislators fighting for even greater change.

 

I know some of you will lead a campaign to reduce the thousands and thousands and thousands of water bottles that we use and throw away each year on campus and you will eventually become the creators, manufacturers and retailers of green products and services.

 

I know some of you will work in local food kitchens in the Berkshires and you will eventually become organizers of disaster relief efforts as mounting frequencies of tropical storms devastate our coastal areas.

 

I know some of you will urge our college administrators to incorporate more solar and wind energy into our campus infrastructure and you will eventually become the entrepreneurs, developers, and lawyers who realize renewable energy projects around the globe.

 

I know some of you will work to understand why Williams’ energy consumption is 50% more that it was at the time you were born, and you will eventually become the architects, engineers, analysts and builders - retrofitting aging buildings and designing new carbon neutral sustainable buildings.

 

I know some of you will become excited by the science of ecology and biology and chemistry and geology and you will eventually become researchers that explore changing wildlife habitats and the impact of climate change on the survival of our ecosystems.

 

I know some of you will work on reducing paper usage and waste of all forms on campus, and you will eventually become….. well, my best friend!!

 

I invite you to participate in the work of the Zilkha Center, Thursday Night Group and CES making Williams a more sustainable campus.  Welcome to Williams!

 

Stephanie Boyd

Director of the Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives

Note: You can find the Zilkha Center on the first floor of Hopkins Hall or contact us at ZilkhaCenter@williams.edu , or leave a comment below.

Thoughts? Go to the Sustainability Blog or send an email to Stephanie Boyd (sboyd@williams.edu) to comment.