One of the university's immediate goals is to continue taking readily achievable steps toward saving energy --as King says, "picking the low-hanging fruit." A single step the university took in purchases of cleaning supplies -- shifting to a new recyclable mop head -- has resulted in significant savings, King said. If the university were to fully implement all such changes, it could cut energy use by 25 percent, King said. "If I can save money and be green at the same time, it's a slam dunk," he said. He'll also be looking at ways to make recycling as effective in student dorms as it is in faculty and administrative offices, Knobel said. And he'll evaluate a program called Trayless Tuesday, which eliminates the use of trays in student cafeterias one day a week. That saves energy used in washing the trays and in producing food that students place on their trays but end up not eating, Knobel said.
Ecuador RPCV Jeremy King has been named the Denison University's first sustainability coordinator
New Denison position to focus on campus sustainability efforts
BRIAN MILLER • Sentinel Reporter •
November 12, 2009
The ball has been rolling for several years at Denison University on finding ways to reduce energy use, with students, faculty and administrators pursuing a variety of green projects.
While great strides have been made, said university president Dale Knobel, one component was missing: Someone to connect all these projects and people into a cohesive whole and add the expertise to push projects along.
Enter Jeremy King, a 1997 Denison graduate who became its first sustainability coordinator in October. King will serve as a bridge between campus environmental groups and projects and add his own ideas on making the campus greener, Knobel said.
"We can accomplish more if we work together," he said.
A focus on sustainability also will win the favor of prospective students and alumni and better position the university to collaborate with secondary schools and other groups in environmental projects, Knobel said.
The university has identified four areas in which King will concentrate his energy conservation efforts: dining services, purchasing, buildings and student groups.
One of the university's immediate goals is to continue taking readily achievable steps toward saving energy --as King says, "picking the low-hanging fruit." A single step the university took in purchases of cleaning supplies -- shifting to a new recyclable mop head -- has resulted in significant savings, King said.
If the university were to fully implement all such changes, it could cut energy use by 25 percent, King said.
"If I can save money and be green at the same time, it's a slam dunk," he said.
He'll also be looking at ways to make recycling as effective in student dorms as it is in faculty and administrative offices, Knobel said. And he'll evaluate a program called Trayless Tuesday, which eliminates the use of trays in student cafeterias one day a week. That saves energy used in washing the trays and in producing food that students place on their trays but end up not eating, Knobel said.
One of King's important roles will be guiding an evaluation of the campus' energy usage that is already in progress. The so-called greenhouse gas inventory will attempt to measure carbon outputs from buildings and other sources related to college functions, King said.
Although it will be up to faculty, students and administrators to carry out the inventory, King will be the catalyst for it, environmental studies professor Abram Kaplan said.
"His role is to help galvanize the enthusiasm that is already around campus," he said.
King said much of his job will be building relationships between various groups involved in environmental projects and programs.
"I will help them shape their ideas so the higher-ups can make decisions," he said.
But he also wants the university to keep its eyes focused on long-term, key improvements, including phasing out the use of fossil fuels --coal and natural gas --to fire its power plant on South Main Street.
"It's a great way for Denison to be a great neighbor," he said.
A former teacher who also ran an organic farm, King has a lot of skills that fit well with the job, Knobel said. After teaching 10 years in Circleville schools, King and his wife, Susan, served in the Peace Corps in Ecuador, where King said they "lived the sustainable life."
On returning, feeling they were not ready to go back to "normal life," they ran an organic farm on Susan's parents' land in northwest Ohio for several months.
Along with his educational background and ability to inspire people, it was King's familiarity with the university that impressed the selection committee, Knobel said.
For King, who grew up in Granville and graduated from Granville High School in 1993, it is a return to place he considers to be a central part of his life.
"I am passionate about this school," he said.
