The University of Iowa Division of Student Life recognized two organizations and one student May 2 for their efforts to advance campus sustainability at the 2018 Hawkeye Leadership Awards.

• David Strabala received the Outstanding Sustainability Leader Award for his work as sustainability chair for Dance Marathon. He has displayed significant effort in helping the University of Iowa be more sustainable, and in achieving the University’s 2020 Vision/Sustainability Targets. Strabala led a team of 16 people to implement a three-year sustainability strategic plan. A nominator for the award stated, “He cultivated a relationship with the Office of Sustainability, Summer of the Arts, and other sustainable partners across Iowa City. He is an inspiration to those who care about sustainability, and always drives to put his mission at the forefront of his work.”
• Women in Business received the Outstanding Sustainability Integration Award, which is given to the organization who has integrated sustainability initiatives through the operation of events and projects, providing a meaningful contribution to the University’s 2020 Vision Sustainability Targets, and an environmentally-conscious campus community. In January 2017, Women in Business created the sustainability chair a leadership position. This role has created the initiatives for many of the sustainable programs the organization has hosted. Primarily focusing on educational events, Women in Business has focused on topics such as corporate social responsibility in the workplace, promotion of sustainable change in businesses, and how students can incorporate sustainable practices into their lives and career goals.
• The University of Iowa Environmental Coalition (UIEC) received the Outstanding Sustainability Innovation and Awareness Award, given to a student organization whose mission is sustainability-focused, and which has demonstrated innovation through its efforts.  The nominator for this year’s winner described UIEC as one that is passionate and knowledgeable about issues in sustainability, while minimizing spending when organizing events and projects. One of the many wonderful things about this group is its dedication to ensuring the core projects and initiatives created continue on into future years.

Photo: Claire Carlson, representing Women in Business; David Strabala, Dance Marathon; Eden DeWald, representing University of Iowa Environmental Coalition