University to celebrate Earth Week with campus events

(April 12, 2016)—Carson-Newman University’s Residence Life Program and Community Connections are teaming up to celebrate Earth Week April 18-22 with a variety of service-minded events.

The week will be filled with activities geared toward both environmental service and awareness, building up to an Earth Day volunteer work day Friday from 11-1 p.m. at the Bonner Center. Volunteers will help recycle, work in the Center’s community garden and more.

Residence Life Coordinator of Butler Hall and Appalachian Commons Garrett Meggs says students have been involved every step of the way.

“We have made a more concentrated effort to involve the student body in Earth Week this year, and I’m really excited to see them come together and rally around a common cause,” Meggs said. “This has primarily been student-led between RAs and Community Connections, so it’s great to see something they’ve been so passionate about come to fruition.”

Other service opportunities include Creativity Day from 10-4 p.m. Tuesday at the Bonner Center featuring crafts and an art project in the Center’s garden, and a social media challenge Thursday. Students can follow @cncommconn and @cnreslife on Instagram and Twitter for challenges, using the hashtag #CNEarthWeek to participate.

Promotions and giveaways will also be available across campus throughout the week. Monday is “Bring Your Mug to Maples Day” during which anyone who brings a mug to the campus coffee shop will receive free drip coffee, and Wednesday from 11-1 p.m. students can bring any recyclable item to the MSAC to partake in an ice cream social.

“Our mission is to educate faithful Christian and worldwide servant leaders, so it’s important that we take the responsibility for preserving the Earth, contributing to making our community better and instilling that in our student body,” Meggs said.

Carson-Newman Dining Services will help celebrate as well, dimming the lights in the cafeteria, providing information about recycling and weighing food waste for students to get a feel for how much on their plate goes uneaten.

Students who want to volunteer for the Friday service event can CLICK HERE to register.