Events
Events
Gathering to seek solutions and celebrate success
Throughout the year, various events and programs bring the Loyola community together to discuss critical sustainability challenges, explore solutions, and celebrate our successes. Here are some highlights from the 2022 to 2023 academic year.
Climate Change Conference
The Climate Change Conference featured presentations by (from left to right) Steve Bynum, Father Tom Smolich, SJ, Shelly Culbertson, and Michael Nash.
The annual Loyola Climate Change Conference gathers leading experts to discuss practical, equitable solutions to the climate crisis. The 2023 event examined how climate change impacts global human migration. Nearly 300 people gathered on campus; an additional 400 tuned in virtually. Filmmaker Michael Nash delivered the keynote presentation, sharing what he learned while making his film Climate Refugees. Participants also heard from Shelly Culbertson, associate director of the Disaster Management and Resilience Program at the RAND Corporation, Father Tom Smolich, SJ, international director of the Jesuit Refugee Service, and Yves Umuhoza, CEO at AEI and climate and refugee education advocate. Chicago Public Media's Steve Bynum served as moderator, guiding the audience through insightful discussions on how to tackle mass climate migration.
Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge
Typha Tex took first place in the Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge.
The Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge invites Loyola students to envision, plan, and launch environmentally friendly businesses and products. Students from programs across the University form teams and work with faculty mentors to develop ideas for eco-friendly ventures. After an initial round of judging, the top six teams present their concepts to a panel of experts for the chance to win up to $20,000 in prize money. This year, four SES students took first place with their pitch for TyphaTex. They proposed using invasive cattails as a sustainable material for producing textiles.
Earth Week
Participants enjoyed (b)Earth Day cake during Loyola’s annual celebration of sustainability.
In April, Loyola held various Earth Week events celebrating the university’s sustainability achievements and inviting community members to renew their commitment to caring for our world. Activities included a rain garden workday, a waste challenge, and a climate film series. The main event was the (b)Earth Day party, organized by the Office of Sustainability. Students, faculty, and staff gathered for ice cream, cake, and live music. Members of student environmental groups were on hand to share information about their activities and how interested students can get involved. Additionally, the EcoVoice Project organized a song gathering in collaboration with choir students from Loyola and the University of Illinois at Chicago.
The annual Loyola Climate Change Conference gathers leading experts to discuss practical, equitable solutions to the climate crisis. The 2023 event examined how climate change impacts global human migration. Nearly 300 people gathered on campus; an additional 400 tuned in virtually. Filmmaker Michael Nash delivered the keynote presentation, sharing what he learned while making his film Climate Refugees. Participants also heard from Shelly Culbertson, associate director of the Disaster Management and Resilience Program at the RAND Corporation, Father Tom Smolich, SJ, international director of the Jesuit Refugee Service, and Yves Umuhoza, CEO at AEI and climate and refugee education advocate. Chicago Public Media's Steve Bynum served as moderator, guiding the audience through insightful discussions on how to tackle mass climate migration.
The Abrams Sustainable Business Challenge invites Loyola students to envision, plan, and launch environmentally friendly businesses and products. Students from programs across the University form teams and work with faculty mentors to develop ideas for eco-friendly ventures. After an initial round of judging, the top six teams present their concepts to a panel of experts for the chance to win up to $20,000 in prize money. This year, four SES students took first place with their pitch for TyphaTex. They proposed using invasive cattails as a sustainable material for producing textiles.
In April, Loyola held various Earth Week events celebrating the university’s sustainability achievements and inviting community members to renew their commitment to caring for our world. Activities included a rain garden workday, a waste challenge, and a climate film series. The main event was the (b)Earth Day party, organized by the Office of Sustainability. Students, faculty, and staff gathered for ice cream, cake, and live music. Members of student environmental groups were on hand to share information about their activities and how interested students can get involved. Additionally, the EcoVoice Project organized a song gathering in collaboration with choir students from Loyola and the University of Illinois at Chicago.