Villanova Recognized by the Sierra Club in its Annual “Cool Schools” Ranking

VILLANOVA, Pa., August 17, 2010 – Villanova University—a signatory of the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment—earned national recognition today for its commitment to sustainability.

The Sierra Club’s annual “Cool Schools” ranking judged universities for their performance in 10 categories: Energy Supply, Efficiency, Food, Academics, Purchasing, Transportation, Waste Management, Administration, Financial Investments, and Other Initiatives. A total of 163 universities nationwide made the list, with Villanova earning the #53 spot. According to the Sierra Club, “There are more than 2,000 four-year colleges and universities in the United States, meaning that the schools on the ‘Coolest Schools’ index are in the top 10 percent when it comes to the environment.”

In addition to its overall placement, Villanova ranked among the top 26 schools in the nation for green investment practices; the top 35 schools for green purchasing practices; and the top 44 for academic offerings related to sustainability.

At Villanova, environmental sustainability is a natural outgrowth of the University’s Catholic Augustinian culture. According to Villanova’s President, the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., “The earth and all its life forms inherently deserve our respect and our stewardship. As an academic community, we recognize the danger of ignoring the plight of our planet. We are committed to intellectual endeavors, actions, and policies that support our environment now and for generations to come.”

Villanova further advanced its mission earlier this year with the submission of a formal Climate Action Plan setting forth the year 2050 as the University’s target date for net climate neutrality.

Villanova University, a co-educational Roman Catholic institution, was founded by the Order of Saint Augustine in 1842. A premier institution of higher education, Villanova’s faculty experts in the field of environmental sustainability provide academic programs including the master’s degree in sustainable engineering; the first-year “Nature and the World” learning community; bachelor’s degrees in environmental science, environmental studies, and environmental biology/ecology; a biology master’s degree, graduate certificate, and advanced graduate certificate with a concentration in ecology, evolution, and organismal biology; a master’s degree in water resources and environmental engineering, and a graduate certificate in urban water resources design. Click here for more information about Villanova University’s commitment to sustainability.