HISTORY
FAMU Green Coalition was founded in 2006 by Aaron White, grad student and member of the Environmental Sciences Student Organization and Dr. LaRae M. Donnellan, professor in the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication. In October 2006, Dr. Donnellan proposed that the Faculty Senate establish a Green Campus Committee to facilitate sustainability efforts on campus; she was named chair of that committee. In October, Mr. White contacted Dr. Donnellan, and they hatched plans for a coordinated faculty-student-staff-community organization. The FAMU Green Coalition (known initially as the FAMU Green Campus Group) held its first meeting on Dec. 11, 2006. About a dozen faculty, staff, student and community members attended that first meeting. Co-chairs were elected: Dr. Donnellan and Professor Beth Lewis of the School of Architecture represented faculty; Mr. White and, subsequently, Markita Samuel (selected by the Student Government Association) represented students. After some discussion, the FGC became a committee of the Faculty Senate so that it could establish an account within the FAMU Foundation. In 2008, the group reorganized to be a student-run organization. From those humble beginning, Green Coalition went on to host numerous programs and initiatives that have galvanized the campus to take action to protect the environment and improve the well-being of the community, including:
- Change a Light for Daylight Savings Campaign (2007 & 2008) - 80 volunteers distributed about 2,300 free compact fluorescent light bulbs to city residents
- Be Out Day - recycling effort
- Earth Day at the Capitol
- Energy Star Pledge
- Campus CANpaign Challege
- Participating in Power Shift national conference
- Focus the Nation in collaboration with FSU students (2009)
- FAMU Green Summit - 2 day workshop for student leaders (2009)
- ECOnscious Days (2010)
- Do 10 for 10-10-10 Pledge - campus pledges to make 10 lifestyle changes to reduce carbon footprint
- GreenCo park construction (2010)
- GreenCo park revitalization & dedication with the Royal Court (2014)
CONTACT
- FAMU Green Coalition: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Advisors: Prof. Olivier Chamel (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and Kathryn Ziewitz (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
- President: Andrea Pugh (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)