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Office of Sustainability
Bingham House
97 Richland Avenue
Athens, OH 45701
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Sustainability Hub Seminar Series

Sustainability Hub Seminar Series

The Office of Sustainability and the Sustainability Hubs are pleased to present 3 Sustainability Hub seminars each semester.

These seminars occur in September, October and November during the fall semester, and February, March and April during the spring semester.

Each seminar focuses on a sustainability initiative in one of Ohio University's 12 sustainability themes:  transportation, food, water, waste, procurement, investments, grounds, energy, buildings, student life, human resources and climate.

Spring 2025 Seminar Dates and Topics

More detailed Information about the spring 2025 Sustainability Hub Seminar Series will be posted in the Calendar of University Events and below once available.

Past Topics

2025

  • April 21, 2025, 5 pm. Sustainable Infrastructure Hub Coordinator, Cody Petitt, hosted a seminar in Stocker Center for a presentation by the Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment. This presentation discussed the university's research on building materials, waste, and water.
  • March 24, 2025, 5 pm. Sustainable Living Hub Coordinator, Kyle Butler, hosted a seminar on food insecurity at Ohio University. This seminar allowed attendees to discuss important issues related to food access concerns on campus with experts and peers.
  • February 24, 2025, 5 pm. A discussion, hosted by Dr. Thomas Smucker (Geography), Faculty Coordinator of the Sustainable Administration Hub, on student-managed sustainable investments at OHIO, led by Associate Professor of Finance David Stowe and members of the Student Equity Management Group (SEMG) and Student Fixed Income Management Group (SFIMG). They shared insights into sustainable investment strategies, risk management, and real portfolio performance. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A.

2024

  • November 25, 2024, 5 pm. Sustainable Administrative Hub Coordinator Dr. Thomas Smucker and Graduate Assistant Abdoulie Singhateh discussed the Farm2Ohio Working Group's updates on collaboration to enhance local food procurement and food system sustainability. Speakers included Monchito Trinidad from Culinary Services, Tom Redfern from Rural Action, and David Rosenthal from the Ohio University Department of Environmental and Plant Biology.
  • October 28, 2024, 5 pm. Sustainable Living Hub Seminar Coordinator Kyle Buter discussed outdoor learning in a provisioned space. The seminar began at Baker Center's Front Room Coffee House and moved outside to witness outdoor learning firsthand. This was an opportunity to learn not just in, but from our beautiful natural surroundings on OU’s Athens campus.
  • September 30, 2024, 5 pm. Sustainable Infrastructure Hub Coordinator Cody Petitt presented a seminar about Ohio University's EcoHouse. The seminar discussed EcoHouse initiatives and goals, then the seminar will take a trip to tour the new location of the EcoHouse at 66 University Terrace. This was an interactive event that showcased a great opportunity to participate in sustainable living on campus.
  • February 26, 2024, 5pm. Sustainable Administration Hub Coordinator Dr. Ryan Fogt will led this seminar titled "Looking back through the Sustainable Administration Hub since its origin: Many successes and a few challenges." View the recording of the seminar on our OneDrive.
  • March 25, 2024, 5pm. Sustainable Living Hub Coordinator Kyle Butler led this seminar which discussed the situation international students face with food insecurity, how OU is supporting them, and what more could be done to address this issue. Panelists included Francis Ametepey, an international student who led a fundraiser for Cat’s Cupboard, Reginald Morrow, OU’s Basic Needs Coordinator, as well as other students and community members. View the recording of the seminar on our OneDrive.
  • April 22, 2024, 5pm. Sustainable Infrastructure Hub Coordinator Cody Petitt was joined by staff members from HEAPY, a sustainable engineering company, for this seminar titled "Ohio University Facilities Decarbonization Planning". HEAPY staff members discussed how they are partnering with Ohio University to shape sustainability initiatives within OHIO’s facilities and introduced their Decarbonization Master Planning process. 

2023

  • February 27, 2023, 5pm. Sustainable Administration Hub Coordinator Dr. Ryan Fogt was joined by Michelle Wilson from Athens Impact for this seminar titled "Socially Responsible Investments". View the recording of the seminar on our OneDrive.
  • March 27, 2023, 5pm. Sustainable Infrastructure Hub Coordinator Dr. Jesus Pagan was joined by Dr. Sarah Davis, Tyra Huxley, Sarah Liederbach, and Helena Karlstrom for this seminar titled "Energizing Waste Management for Sustainable Local Business." View the recording of the seminar on our OneDrive.
  • April 24, 2023, 5pm. Sustainable Living Hub Coordinator Kyle Butler was joined by Stephanie Hunter from Athens’ Ad Hoc Pedestrian Accessibility Committee, Aimee Delach from Athens Bicycle Club, and Tia Hysell, Director of Transportation and Parking Services, for this seminar titled "Sustainable Transportation: On Campus, In Town, and Beyond." View the recording of the seminar on our OneDrive.
  • September 25th, 5pm. Sustainable Living Hub Coordinator Kyle Butler and co-founder of the Solid Ground School Weston Lombard talked about a community agriculture project accomplished this summer at Solid Ground Farm. Participants learned how to create community through the process of building, planting, and harvesting a communal garden. View the recording of the seminar on our OneDrive.
  • October 23rd, 5pm. Sustainable Administration Hub Coordinator Dr. Ryan Fogt and Associate Professor of Geography Dr. Harold Perkins led this seminar titled "Considering Climate Justice". View the recording of the seminar on our OneDrive.
  • November 20th, 5pm. Sustainable Infrastructure Hub Coordinator Cody Petitt and Ohio University's resident water treatment experts discussed the vital role water plays in the Athens community and how to enhance water sustainability in our daily lives. View the recording of the seminar on our OneDrive.

2022

  • February 14, 2022, 5pm. The Sustainable Living Hub Seminar took place in Grover W115 and was centered on the topic of Students Advancing Sustainability. Hub Coordinator Kim Thompson and a student panel lead the seminar. View the recording of the seminar on our OneDrive.
  • April 11, 2022, 5pm. Sustainable Administration Hub Coordinator Dr. Ryan Fogt led a Sustainability Seminar on Human Resources at in Grover W115. The title of the seminar was “People in Progress,” and a panel of speakers from Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion, and OHIO Wellness talked about many of their ongoing programs, initiatives, and strategies to promote the value of people at our university. View the recording of the seminar on our OneDrive.
  • May 2, 2022, 5pm. Sustainable Infrastructure Hub Coordinator Dr. Jesus Pagan led a seminar on the topic of Sustainable Buildings, featuring Barton-Marlow construction projects at Ohio University and other locations. View the recording of the seminar on our OneDrive.
  • September 19, 2022, 5pm. Sustainable Administration Hub Coordinator Ryan Fogt led a seminar on "Sustainable Procurement" and was joined by Mary Nally, Director of the Center for Community Engagement. View the recording of the seminar on our OneDrive.
  • October 17, 2022, 5pm. Sustainable Infrastructure Hub Coordinator Jesus Pagan led a seminar on "Sustainable Energy Management." View the recording of the seminar on our OneDrive.
  • November 21, 2022, 5pm. Sustainable Living Hub Coordinator Kyle Butler led a seminar on "Sustainable Grounds." View the recording of the seminar on our OneDrive. 

2021

  • February 15, 2021, 5pm.  VIRTUAL HUB SEMINAR:  Sustainable Living Hub Coordinator Kim Thompson and Tia Hysell, Director of Transportation and Parking Services at Ohio University, share options for sustainable transportation around campus and the surrounding community. The seminar examines the impacts our transportation choices have on the environment and the variety of options we have available to us in Athens.
  • March 22, 2021, 5pm.  VIRTUAL HUB SEMINAR: Sustainable Administration Hub Coordinator Ryan Fogt, Ana Rosado-Feger, Associate Professor of Operations Management, David Stowe, Associate Professor of Finance, and student investment group members discuss investing basics, how sustainability plays a role in modern investment decision making, and the challenges and successes the OHIO student investment teams have experienced over the last eight years.  Additionally, presenters examine cutting edge student research into sustainable and ESG investing.
  • April 19, 2021, 5pm: VIRTUAL HUB SEMINAR: Jesus Pagán, Sustainable Infrastructure Hub Coordinator, and Dr. Andrew Weems, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, discuss and demonstrate research on plastic recycling efforts, including for 3D printing, within the Russ College of Engineering and Technology.
  • September 13, 2021, 5pm.  VIRTUAL HUB SEMINAR: Sustainable Infrastructure Hub Coordinator Jesus Pagan led a seminar on "Water Pollution: Nutrient Recovery Solutions”.  Dr. Pagan was joined by Rick Johnson, Applied Environmental Solutions, LLC, and Environmental Studies graduate student Madeline Yeatts.
  • October 11, 2021, 5pm.  VIRTUAL HUB SEMINAR:  Sustainable Living Hub Coordinator Kim Thompson led a seminar on "Sustainability in Food Production, Distribution and Consumption" with guest speakers Dr. David Rosenthal, Associate Professor in Environmental and Plant Biology; Susie Huser, Community Food Initiatives Communications and Donation Station Program Director; Tanya Hire, Athens Farmers Market Manager; and Larry Cowdrey of Cowdrey Farms Agricultural Cooperative, discussing a range of topics including why we might embrace sustainable agricultural practices, what’s happening at the OHIO Student Farm, efforts by the Farm to Ohio Working Group (FOWG), and opportunities to support local farmers.
  • November 8, 2021, 5pm.  VIRTUAL HUB SEMINAR:  Sustainable Administration Hub Coordinator Dr. Ryan Fogt led a Sustainability Seminar on "The Increased Urgency of Climate Action:  What is Ohio University Doing?"  Dr. Fogt was joined by Ellen Gill-Franks and Sarah Lapido, Student Trustees, Ohio University Board of Trustees, and Elaine Goetz, Director of Energy Management and Sustainability, Ohio University.

2020

  • February 27, 2020, 4pm.  IN_PERSON SEMINAR, Baker University Center Front Room: Dr. Ryan Fogt & Panelists including Cat Russell (Human Resources) and Jan Huebenthal (Diversity & Inclusion). Topic: Creating a Sustainable Workplace: Fostering Belonging at OHIO
  • March 26, 2020, 5pm.  Baker University Center Front Room: Dr. David Bayless & Steve Wood, Ohio University Chief Facilities Officer.  Topic: Sustainable Energy at Ohio University.  CANCELLED due to COVID-19
  • April 22, 2020, 5pm.  VIRTUAL HUB SEMINAR:  Dr. Theresa Moran & Susan Calhoun, Landscape Coordinator.  Topic:  Ohio University Tree Program
  • September 14, 5pm. VIRTUAL HUB SEMINAR: Dr. David Bayless, Sustainable Infrastructure Hub Coordinator and Loehr Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and special guest Alex Burke, Energy Procurement & Environmental Sustainability Advisor at Cardinal Health and alumnus of the OHIO Environmental Studies MA program.  Topic:  Implementing Sustainable Energy Projects – From Ideation to Carbon Free Power.
  • October 12, 5pm. VIRTUAL HUB SEMINAR: Dr. Kim Thompson, Sustainable Living Hub Coordinator and Associate Professor of Environmental & Plant Biology.  Topic:  OHIO's newest Green Roof on Schoonover Center
  • November 9, 5pm. VIRTUAL HUB SEMINAR: Dr. Ryan Fogt, Sustainable Administration Hub Coordinator and Rusty Thomas, Purchasing Manager.  Topic:  Sustainable Purchasing practices at Ohio University

2019