Daily News

Greenfield Community College Wins National Green Genome Award

GREENFIELD — As part of an expanding national effort to support environmentally sustainable practices, programs, and job training at the nation’s almost 1,200 community colleges, Greenfield Community College is one of five exemplary community colleges to be presented with an American Assoc. of Community Colleges (AACC) Green Genome Award.

The Green Genome Awards, created by AACC’s Sustainability Education and Economic Development Center (SEED), are evaluated in four key areas critical to holistic green college transformation: community engagement, governance, program design and delivery, and strategic partnerships. Greenfield Community College is recognized as the overall winner, demonstrating excellence in all four key areas.

That excellence can be seen in GCC’s academic programs in Renewable Energy/Energy Efficiency and Farm and Food Systems, on-campus photovoltaic solar panels and permaculture garden, campus-wide composting and recycling, collaborations with many community partners, and campus leadership that considers sustainability in its decision making. Greenfield Community College will be awarded $7,500, plus a set of state-of-the-art Bahco-brand Snap-on tools and horticulture equipment. The awards are sponsored by Snap-on.

“As the primary organizing body of community colleges of the United States, AACC knows and understands community colleges across the country. We therefore are most honored and lifted by this recognition,” said GCC President Bob Pura. “I am so very proud of all of the people in the college and the community who made it possible for AACC to recognize GCC with this award. It is great to get acknowledged for demonstrating best practices by an organization that is so well-informed. What this award also does is encourage us to work harder and aspire to even higher standards.”

Other winners of this prestigious award include Gateway Technical College in Wisconsin (strategic partnerships), Lane Community College in Oregon (governance), McHenry County College in Illinois (community engagement), and Moraine Valley Community College in Illinois (program design and delivery).

“AACC is thrilled to recognize colleges like Greenfield Community College that have not only prepared a skilled workforce, but have also become change agents in regional efforts to develop a green and sustainable economy,” said Walter Bumphus, AACC president and CEO. “Through the SEED Center, AACC is providing community colleges an important road map to connect and integrate campus sustainability practices and clean economy-related education and workforce development.”

Added U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, “this national award will not only equip GCC with state-of-the-art equipment but also with additional capital to boost their already successful program. This award is further proof that GCC is a national leader in the field of sustainable and renewable-energy education and workforce development.”