University College, the continuing education and professional studies division in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, will host a symposium titled “The Sustainability Challenge: Local to Global” at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 in Steinberg Auditorium.
The symposium will feature experts from Washington University and the greater St. Louis region as they discuss questions and challenges facing the environment, community development and organizational life.
The symposium complements WUSTL’s sustainable research, education and operational initiatives, including the International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability (I-CARES), green building construction and academic offerings.
“Washington University is contributing in many ways to progress in understanding and resolving today’s most pressing and complex environmental, economic and social challenges,” says Robert E. Wiltenburg, PhD, dean of University College and moderator for the symposium.
“Recently, University College announced a new bachelor of science in sustainability and certificate in sustainable communities and development to provide students with knowledge of both concepts and methods of sustainability, local to global, and to help improve the quality of individual lives, the productivity of institutions and the security of the environment,” Wiltenburg says.
Panelists include:
- Pratim Biswas, PhD, the Stifel and Quinette Jens Professor of Environmental Engineering Science and chair of the Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Washington University;
- William Carson, vice president and director of sustainability, McCormack Baron Salazar;
- Betsy Cohen, vice president, sustainability and animal welfare, Nestle Purina PetCare Co.;
- John Hoal, PhD, associate professor and chair of the Master of Urban Design Program, College of Architecture, Washington University;
- Tiffany Knight, PhD, associate professor of biology and director of the Environmental Studies Program, both in Arts & Sciences, Washington University; and
- Catherine Werner, JD, sustainability director, City of St. Louis Mayor’s Office.
The symposium is free and open to the public. Steinberg Auditorium is located in Steinberg Hall, near the intersection of Forsyth and Skinker boulevards.
For more information, contact Steve Ehrlich, associate dean for academics at University College, at (314) 935-4320 or e-mail ehrlich@artsci.wustl.edu.
About University College
Originally founded in 1853 to serve the diverse educational needs of the St. Louis area, Washington University continues to grow and thrive more than 150 years later. The first educational step of the fledgling university, on Oct. 22, 1854, was to establish an evening program. Washington University Extension, addressing the needs of local teachers, was begun in 1908, and, after much expansion and diversification, became University College in 1931. Then and since, people of all ages attend Washington University through University College, earning associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, or certificates, or taking courses for personal enrichment. For more information about University College, visit ucollege.wustl.edu or call (314) 935-6700.