Celebrating 50 Years of Environmental Studies at St. Lawrence University
On September 20th, the St. Lawrence University community came together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Environmental Studies (ENVS) Department.
The celebration kicked off with opening remarks from President Morris about the importance of environmental programming at St. Lawrence University. Then we heard from Professor David Murphy, Chair of the ENVS Department, who reflected on the department's evolution and the significance of its interdisciplinary approach to solving environmental challenges. Following Dr. Murphy's remarks, attendees heard from the founding faculty of the ENVS department - Al Schwartz and Glenn Harris - how provided perspective about what the vision was for the program in those early days. We then heard from one of the first students - Bob Hedin - who painted a vivid picture of what it was like to study environmental issues in the North Country in the 1970s. The event then transitioned to a panel discussion titled "From Students to Changemakers," where ENVS alumni shared how they have turned their degrees into impactful careers. The panel provided a unique opportunity for current students and fellow alumni to engage with environmental professionals and explore the real-world applications of their education.
Panelists included:
- Bob Rich ’89: Founder and President of ROAR Logistics
- Jeff Deyette ’95: Clean Energy Director at the Union of Concerned Scientists
- Ali Hiple ’15: Senior Policy Analyst at the Conservation Law Foundation
- Jennifer Evans ’19: Chief Operating Officer at Climate Cardinals
- Maddie Cring ’21: Environmental Communications Specialist at ERG
- Alyssa Watson ’21: Senior Associate at ADL Ventures
This diverse group of alumni also discussed their career paths and how their work continues to address pressing environmental issues, inspiring the next generation of students to follow in their footsteps.
The event highlighted St. Lawrence’s long-standing commitment to environmental education and its influence on a growing network of change-makers. As the ENVS Department looks ahead to the next 50 years, it remains dedicated to training students to become leaders in the fight for a sustainable future.
