News Story

As college campuses across the U.S. marked national Campus Sustainability Day on Wednesday, Oct. 21, Pittsburg State University announced the selection of a person who will coordinate PSU's growing efforts toward environmental sustainability.

Brian Peery, who has served as PSU's research and grants coordinator since 2006, will also assume the duties of campus sustainability coordinator. As such, Peery will work with students, faculty, staff, administrators and campus committees to support efforts to adopt methods and technologies that reduce waste, save energy, reduce carbon emissions, increase environmental awareness and act in an environmentally responsible manner.

PSU President Steve Scott said student and faculty have convinced him that sustainability is an area that the university should focus on. Without staff support, Scott said, those efforts will not move forward at an acceptable pace.

"I am optimistic that by bringing Brian's organizing, planning, and grant writing skills into play, we'll begin to see some real accomplishments in campus green activities," Scott said.

In addition to his new duties, Peery will continue to support research and university programs through grant writing.

Jon Bartlow, assistant director of admission and chairman of the University Committee for Energy and Resource Conservation (UCERC) said he is excited to see the changes in attitudes and awareness on campus relating to sustainability.

"The UCERC started the move towards PSU becoming a more sustainable campus and a leader in the community," Bartlow said. "Dr. Scott has strongly reaffirmed and supported these efforts, and the appointment of Brian Peery will allow us to move forward more quickly and research additional sources of funding available to us to further 'green' Pittsburg State University."

Peery holds a bachelor of science degree in sociology and a master's degree in human resource development from PSU, as well as a graduate certificate in advanced study in evaluation from Claremont Graduate University.

---Pitt State---