Sentinel article
Chris
bad - free publicity, but a couple of us were misquoted.
Group reaches new peak with name, identity and definition changes
Members of the KSU Environmental Alliance held their annual retreat
Feb. 6 at Mellow Mushroom on Chastain Road. Concerned with making
earth-conscious choices in daily life, many of the members walked to
the meeting. The group munched on pizza as they discussed their past
achievements and goals for the future. One of those goals is a new
name.
Founded in 1996, the group has 12 members and is growing as their
identity is redefined and expanded. The group members voted
unanimously in favor of calling themselves PEAK, Progressive Earth
Alliance at Kennesaw.
President Julianee Trew said the new name provides a refreshed outlook
and ignites their passion to spread the word of their group across the
entire community.
“By ‘re-branding’ ourselves we hope to pull in more people that are
passionate not only about sustainability, but all eco-related issues
in order to be able to achieve more,” Trew said.
Chris Smith, a junior member of the alliance who is working on his
master’s degree in American Studies, feels the name change broadens
the focus of the group to include more social issues such as the
production and sale of organic food, environmental justice and
sustainability methods.
Dr. Robert Paul, director of sustainability and professor of Biology
at KSU, has been the alliance’s faculty advisor for over 10 years.
Paul said the direction of the current leadership emphasizes the human
and social facets of environmentalism.
“I agree [these] are inextricably interwoven with efforts to respect
and preserve the natural world,” Paul said.
Paul has been instrumental as a resource for the students, providing
advice and a historical perspective along with assistance in
communication with KSU faculty and administration.
“No matter what the changes made to the group, we are the same group
of people and we continue to stand for the same issues,” Trew said.
Another aspect of identity that was amended to reflect the groups
expanding goals was the mission statement. The Web site’s the updated
statement reads:
“We believe in the gentle use of earth’s natural resources and we
constantly evaluate our degree of impact on the environment as an
organization. We are dedicated to actions that promote a healthy and
sustainable future on campus and in the broader community.”
The group held a planning session for this semester’s activities. The
most far-reaching of these plans is the ALL-KSU Earth Day. Smith said
that large-scale changes must be driven and accomplished by all groups
and institutions in the area.
“KSU has an opportunity and a responsibility to lead in our
community,” Smith said.
Smith hopes that every organization and department on campus will
participate in the Earth Day event this year, and that each person
will make a full commitment to continue the effort to change how we
influence our environment.
“I believe that we’re reaching the tipping point where the
preponderance of evidence for climate change and environmental science
is obvious to the average non-expert,” Smith said. “I think the period
of uncertainty is ending, and people everywhere are realizing the
urgency to take care of what we have.”
Smith encourages students and faculty to take a positive and serious
interest in environmental programs. There are many ways to become
environmentally active.
“Take a hike in the woods, or even a park, and think about the
fragility of all we have, and join PEAK!” Smith said.
“I am really happy with our new start, and with all the enthusiasm and
passion flowing within our group,” Sarah Christopherson said. “I have
no doubt that we will be able to make great strides toward getting our
campus and community to ‘go green.’”