For more information:
Bob Edwards
Public Relations Department Assistant
Glenville State College
Glenville, West Virginia
(304) 462-7361x7610

Glenville, WV—‘Glenville Goes Green’ week wrapped up on Friday, April 18, with the

planting of dozens of trees on the Glenville State College campus. The trees were acquired through a grant from the West Virginia Division of Forestry.

GSC students, Physical Plant workers, the college president’s wife Betsy Barr, and Dr. Bob Henry Baber of the GSC Foundation spent several hours planting trees on campus. The lawn in front of the Heflin Administration Building was planted with about a dozen Red Maple trees. The hillside between the RFK Library and the Amphitheatre was planted with many new trees that will not only beautify the area but also help to hold the

hillside. They replaced several large trees that were becoming dangerous and had to be cut down from the hillside last year. Trees were also planted in and above the Amphitheatre and around Louis Bennett Hall. A variety of trees were planted including Crab Apple, Plum, Red Maple, Dogwood, Hemlock, and Holley.

“When you plant a tree, you live on for a long time. Trees are such an important part of the beauty of the GSC campus and the State of West Virginia,” said GSC First Lady Betsy Barr.

‘Glenville Goes Green’ week was designed to increase the awareness of the college and

the Glenville community of their impact on the environment. The initiative endeavored to show how the school can cut costs by conserving energy and recycling. In addition to the tree planting and campus beautification project, Green Week activities included a free distribution of energy saving light bulbs by the West Virginia Sustainable Communities, a Green powerpoint by GSC students of Dr. Elizabeth Oppe, a powerpoint presentation by Barbara Angeletti from WVU on recycling and conservation, and The Mountaintop Removal Road Show.

One of the groups on campus that participated in ‘Glenville Goes Green’ week is the

Glenville Student Action (GSA). The group is a member of the national Student Environmental Coalition (SEAC). GSA has been active on campus by promoting recycling and other conservation projects. GSC senior Sarah Kidder of Fayette County, a member of GSA, said, “This week has been about trying to build awareness among students, faculty, and staff about becoming a sustainability society. We must become better stewards of the environment.” Kidder says her parents helped mold her deep concern for the environment and environmental justice. “Growing up in Fayette County, I have experienced both the awesome beauty of the New River Gorge and the ugly destruction of mountaintop removal,” she said.

“We have really learned some great things that we can do here at Glenville from the people that we have had here this week. We wish more students, faculty, and staff would have participated, but it was a good first step. We have discovered some great ideas that we are going to try and act on that will really make a difference in making GSC more ‘Green.’ We are already thinking about April 2009 when we plan to have ‘Green” activities all month,” said Kipp Colvin, Director of Student Activities.

Dr. Bob Henry Baber said, “This week has been a great start toward lessening the college’s carbon footprint. Every tree we planted today helps to do that. President Barr wants to make Glenville State College the best small liberal arts college in the country, and I want to help make GSC one of the best ‘Green’ small liberal arts schools in the country.”