By: Emily Hua, Staff Writer
Earth Week at Newman is almost over, but students who love the planet still have a few chances to participate.
Earth Week events started on Tuesday and continue through Friday. All were planned by the Laudato Si Committee.
“The Laudato Si Committee has developed and is sponsoring this week as one of our activities to fulfill our commitment to bringing ecological awareness to our campus in a heightened way,” said Sister Therese Wetta, who is Newman’s director of mission effectiveness.
From noon to 2 p.m. today, the Newman community can attend the Ecologically Sustainable Business Expo and learn about how local businesses build sustainability into everyday life. Local businesses attending are Grate Fill, Children’s First: CEO of Kansas, and ICT Food Rescue. The event is being put on in the former bookstore space in Dugan.
Then from 3 to 4 pm, Lorna Harder, professor emeritus of ecology at Hesston College, will present a talk called “Interconnections: Nature and Us” at the Wichita ASC Center, the convent just south of Newman.
On Friday, which is International Earth Day, all are invited to participate in the Walking in Harmony with Nature event led by Marguerite Regan, associate professor of English, and Shannon Johnston, assistant professor of art and the director of Steckline Gallery. The meditative walk will begin at noon at the entrance of Bishop Gerber Science Center and end at the ASC Center.
Also on Friday, students and staff are invited to participate in a campus beautification project, which will happen from 3 to 5 p.m. and be led by Darrin McKim, Newman’s head groundskeeper. Those who want to participate should meet at Dresselhaus Patio.
Among the other activities that have already happened this week were a clothing share event and a presentation on the art of composting.Students on the Laudato Si committee include Savannah Kiser, Claire Ringle, Alana Libel, and Ashley Dinh. Anyone interested in joining the committee next year should email wettat@newmanu.edu or stop by Sr. Wetta’s office at Sacred Heart Hall Room 222.
PHOTO: Courtesy photo, University Relations
