Edgewood College: Recognized for sustainability efforts

Contact: Ed Taylor, Director of Marketing & Communications 608-663-2333

Madison, Wis. (December 2, 2015) – Edgewood College is one of only six institutions in the country to be named to the Sustainable Endowments Institute “Best of Green Revolving Investment Tracking System 2015” list.

The “Best of GRITS 2015” list recognizes institutions that have recorded the best efficiency project or best overall portfolio performance.

“The Best of GRITS award recognizes some of the great work that is being done in the field,” Mark Orlowski, SEI’s Executive Director and Founder said. “We’re excited about the performance of these projects and hope that other institutions can look to this work as strong examples of how an institution can cut its greenhouse gas emissions while cutting costs.”

The six institutions that have earned the distinction of “Best of GRITS” are:

– Denison University: Most Carbon Emissions Saved to Date (Small Institution)

– University of New England: Most Carbon Emissions Saved to Date (Mid-Sized Institution)

– Western Michigan University: Most Carbon Emissions Saved to Date (Large Institution)

– Edgewood College: Highest Average Annual Energy Savings from a Single Project (Small Institution)

– Southern Connecticut State University: Highest Average Annual Energy Savings from a Single Project (Mid-Sized Institution)

– University of Michigan: Most Completed Projects Recorded by One Institution

Edgewood College is recognized for energy upgrades to the Sonderegger Science Center, the College’s largest building and highest energy user. The College recently added a high-efficiency hot water heater, which enables the less efficient boilers to be turned off for extended periods, while still providing hot water for labs and other applications. This project, along with other steps, significantly contributed to the recent College wide energy consumption reduction of 24% for natural gas and 9% for electricity in 2014.

This recognition marks the latest in a series of sustainability environmental stewardship honors for 2015. In April, Edgewood College was named a ‘Green’ college by The Princeton Review. In July, Phil’s at Edgewood College was again named a Certified Green Restaurant®, one of only three establishments in Wisconsin to earn this distinction.

A commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability resonates deeply at the College, a legacy begun by the native people who first cared for this very special 55-acre campus on the shore of Lake Wingra. The College is honored to be part of the legacy of sustainability that we inherit. Edgewood College currently offers the Master of Arts in Sustainability Leadership, and a Graduate Certificate in Sustainability Leadership.

About Edgewood College Located in Madison, Wis., Edgewood College is a liberal arts Catholic college in the Dominican tradition. We serve approximately 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students at our Monroe Street and Deming Way campuses, and online. The College offers more than 40 academic and professional programs, including master’s degrees in business, education, and nursing, and doctoral degrees in educational leadership and nursing practice. For more information about Edgewood College, please visit http://www.edgewood.edu, or call Ed Taylor in Marketing & Communications at 608-663-2333.