A Day to Cherish Earth
Students & Faculty Connect Through Education, Arts & Conversation
By Bailee Miller, Staff Writer
On April 18, students majoring in environmental science and policy along with the Sustainability Committee and Better Earth club hosted Earth Day in the Christine E. Lynn University Center to advocate for sustainable behaviors with giveaways, creativity and educational activities.
Professor and environmentalist Dr. Alanna Lecher educated students about environmental issues and how they can continue to engage in proactive learning to ensure a better tomorrow for the Earth.
Lecher introduced attendees to the environmental sciences majors, the Better Earth club and the Fair Trade club, which all pursue green actions, like designing studies in field and laboratory classes to implement policies, completing surveys of environmental issues and solutions, understanding and accurately recycling to increase awareness and using sustainable products at educational institutions.
She also challenged students by giving them the opportunity to take part in an environmental quiz and encouraged them to become the change by gifting a seed paper nametag that will grow a mixture of basil, parsley and chives.
“There is no second Earth,” said Lecher. “Everyone has a vested interest in the health of our environment because we can’t live without it. I encourage all [of] our students to increase their understanding and how they can make a positive impact by taking one of our environmental classes.”
Professor of International Relations Dr. Marcheta Wright is a voice for women who lived in Samburu, Kenya, called Unity Village. As a zealous advocate, she championed the Fill The Water Tank Project, which aims to combat water scarcity caused by climate change and the contamination of water from flower farming chemicals.
To support two villages, one where men carve stones out of olive wood and the other where women embellish the carvings with beads, Wright collects the finished products and resells them in the U.S. at the villagers’ set price and returns all proceeds to the women.
“The most important thing for me about the Fill The Water Project is that it’s a collaborative effort originating with the women in Unity Village,” said Wright. “I think of us as the vehicle for the women to achieve their goals.”
The Earth Day celebration also aimed to support the well-being of students, who showcased their talents in a chalk art competition outside the university center using art as a memorable expression of all things Earth.
Counseling Services welcomed students to navigate their emotions, impart hope and inspire themselves and others through rock painting, allowing them to either “take one for inspiration, share one for motivation,” or to leave one to help the Rock Garden grow. Therapist Jessica Cima, who oversaw the activity, expressed that when she feels “rocky,” she imagines a positive experience from a birthday party, traveling or another festivity.
“Looking at pictures from a good time helps me because it reminds me that when I’m feeling rocky, [it] is only temporary,” said Cima.
Earth Day encouraged the Lynn community to pause and better understand themselves and the Earth that supports their well-being. It fostered conversations that will hopefully generate a sustainable legacy at Lynn.
