Annually, the Case Western Reserve University Office for Energy & Sustainability honors members of the campus community with Sustainability Champion Awards. Each year, at least one student (two were recognized this year), one staff member and one faculty member receive an award for working hard to make our campus a more sustainable place.
This year’s winners were the following individuals.
Catherine Chervenak
Catherine Chervenak is a recent graduate who was a dual-major in biology and environmental studies. She also served as a sustainability ambassador with the Office of Energy & Sustainability for two years. Even when not an official ambassador, Chervenak lent her passion, knowledge and talents to the Green Grounds team to help it write the CWRU Tree Plan, which was instrumental in seeking the university’s Arbor Day Tree Campus USA certifications.
While an ambassador this past year, she represented the Food team, championing the “I can’t believe it’s Plant-Based!” campaign in partnership with Bon Appétit Management Co. She was an active member of the Student Sustainability Council, formerly the co-vice-chair. One of Chervenak’s nominators said she “has an aptitude for reaching across boundaries for understanding and to communicate her passions and unique perspectives.” Chervenak was recognized for her passion and drive to make the world a better place.
John Turner
John Turner recently graduated with his MBA. Turner also spent his undergraduate career at Case Western Reserve as a dual-major in economics and environmental studies. He was a Fowler Family Fellowship recipient of the Fowler Center for Business as an Agent of World Benefit.
During his time at the Weatherhead School of Management, Turner continued the K-cup recycling program for the Peter B. Lewis Building as well as led the Graduate Student Sustainability Council. Turner also led an initiative to make the Weatherheadless Ball a zero-waste event and worked to ensure this continues. Turner served as the graduate and professional student representative on the university’s Climate Action Plan Update Committee this year. As an undergraduate, Turner was involved with the Student Sustainability Council and successfully led a push to improve the sustainability of the university’s endowment. Turner was honored for his initiative and deep, ongoing involvement with many sustainability issues.
Kurt Rhoads
Kurt Rhoads, assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, was the winner of the faculty award this year. Rhoads earned both his PhD and his master’s in environmental engineering at Stanford University. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland, College Park, with a bachelor’s of science in environmental engineering.
Rhoads teaches numerous environmentally focused courses each year and his research includes the fate of pollutants, bioremediation, algal biofuel, energy recovery from wastewater treatment and more. Additionally, Rhoads is the director of the new first-year engineering experience, where students had to make their own water filters.
Rhoads also presented a talk titled “Do I Like Blue Because of my Shampoo?” on the impact of everyday chemicals on our lives at a Green Bag Lunch this past year. Rhoads was honored positive influence on his many students and his commitment to pollution abatement.
Sam Arlia
Sam Arlia, mechanical coordinator for plumbing in the Facilities Services department, is the staff award winner this year. As Arlia conducts improvements to campus buildings, he always has sustainability on his mind, advocating for sustainable improvements, repairs and renovations.
Arlia started the campus water bottle filling station installation program and is a big part of why the campus has as many as it does. He’s played a role in the campus sustainability conversation since well before the Office of Sustainability existed, having been a part of the campus community for more than 27 years.
Arlia attends nearly all related events to ensure Facility Services continues to be part of the sustainability conversation on campus. It has been said of Arlia that “he has a can-do attitude—when a more environmentally friendly alternative is suggested, Sam is willing to be an early implementer.” Arlia was recognized for his willing example and passion for sustainability.