THE FORUM

Willamette University – Ranked First in the Nation for Sustainability Activities

By Russell Yost
Director of Marketing and Contributing Assistant Professor
Willamette University
Featured in the Portland Business Journal's "Sustainable Oregon" Publication - 11/21/08

For the Willamette University community, sustainability encompasses environmental responsibility as well as social and economic issues that affect our community at large. Students in all of Willamette’s academic programs work closely with faculty and staff in analyzing sustainability topics through coursework and actively completing hands-on projects.

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) recently ranked Willamette University as the nation’s leader in sustainability activities. The survey included 1,068 colleges and universities across the U.S. According to the NWF, “ Willamette is committed to energy efficiency and conservation, greener transportation, environmentally friendly landscaping practices, as well as to orienting personnel and faculty to the sustainability goals of the campus.” The ranking was announced in September 2008.

This extended definition of sustainability is embodied in Willamette’s business programs through the Atkinson Graduate School of Management. As one of only two programs in the world dually accredited for business administration and public administration, the Willamette MBA program allows students to explore the interaction of public, private and not-for profit organizations in a dynamic environment. In 2007, the Atkinson School was recognized as one of the 100 best business programs in the Beyond Grey Pinstripes survey on social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

The Executive Development Center, housed at the Atkinson School, is working with local business, government, and non-profit leaders on a Certificate in Sustainable Enterprise, planned for late spring 2009. The program will approach sustainability challenges beginning with systems thinking, followed by an in-depth look at social systems and how they impact sustainability in economic and environmental areas.

Students in the full-time Early Career MBA and MBA for Career Change programs are given the opportunity to consult for a non-profit, enhancing the organizations’ operations and offering valuable research and recommendations. Through the Oregon Ethics in Business program, teams of students evaluate for-profit and non-profit organizations throughout the state on issues of environmental sustainability, ethics and civic responsibility.

In Willamette’s evening MBA for Professionals program (in Portland and Salem), the cohort setting brings working professionals together from all sectors and areas of interest to share ideas and complete projects. Groups of students in the MBA for Professionals and in the Early Career MBA were recently awarded sustainability grants through Willamette’s Center for Sustainable Communities to organize sustainability education programs for their peers.

Willamette University’s College of Law also includes a special Certificate in Sustainable Law for students interested in careers in sustainability, environmental, energy and natural resources law.

As the nucleus of the University’s sustainability initiatives, Willamette’s Center for Sustainable Communities brings together faculty research and expertise, student passion and community resources to advance education and research. The center sponsors grants, conferences, events and research projects to enhance Willamette’s commitment to understanding issues of sustainability and support the University’s mission of research and collaboration.

Willamette University President M. Lee Pelton notes that “the values behind what is now known as sustainability have always been very much a part of Willamette’s legacy of principled learning and service. In fact, Willamette has been on the cutting edge of social and environmental sustainability for decades — it is integral to who we are as an institution, a community dedicated to fulfilling our motto, ‘Not unto ourselves alone are we born.’”

For more information on Willamette University, visit:

Willamette University MBA: http://www.willamette.edu/mba

Sustainability at Willamette: http://www.willamette.edu/about/sustainability/

Center for Sustainable Communities: http://www.willamette.edu/centers/csc/