Austin College has installed an electric vehicle charging station, the latest move in a series of strides toward a more sustainable campus.
The charging station originated with a proposal from Elizabeth Adams, Class of 2019 and a current graduate student in the College’s Austin Teacher Program. The EV charging station was approved by Student Assembly and purchased using Student Sustainability Funds and a gift from Lee ’74 and Bob Ardell.
The charging station will enable students and commuters to bring electric cars to campus. Because the College purchases wind-generated electricity, this helps further reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the campus community.
A number of student representatives gathered for an official photo to mark the installation. Pictured in the back row, left to right, are Charles Allen, master electrician; Butch Cole, lighting technician; President Steven O’Day; Hunter Williams, Student Assembly president; Dr. Peter Schulze, director of the Center for Environmental Studies; Kelby Archer, coordinator of the Center for Environmental Studies; Tony Wilson, director of the Physical Plant; and front row, Elizabeth Adams ’19, ATP graduate student; Nicole Deluna ’22, president-elect of Student Assembly and current Student Sustainability Fund delegate; Abby Maeng ’22, vice president of Thinking Green Campus Awareness; Seth Howard ’20, vice president of Student Assembly; and Vero Tessier ’21, president of Thinking Green Campus Awareness.
“I am a commuter, so having a charging station on campus means that I don’t have to take a few hours out of my day to drive to another charging station between classes,” Adams said.
Since 1997, Austin College has adopted some 30 student-initiated greening projects, including the upgrade of outdoor lighting to LED lamps that use less power, installation of low-flow showerheads in campus residences, and initiation of an annual residence hall energy saving competition.
In 2012, student Mark Hagge, Class of 2013, proposed that Student Assembly create a Student Sustainability Fund, approved by Student Assembly later that year. SSF monies come from student activity fees and are spent on student-initiated greening projects.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and more than 100 expert faculty members allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. This year, the campus recognizes 100 years of co-education and has had several opportunities to recognize the history of women and accomplishments of current alumnae. Austin College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.
