On Nov. 8, Christopher Newport University President Bill Kelly announced the university will be receiving a $3 million donation to fund its sustainability efforts.
The donation is the largest reported single donation toward sustainability to the university. Kelly stated in an email to CNU students and staff that the endowment is on behalf of Leadership Studies professor Dr. Benjamin Redekop and his brothers in honor of their late parents.
The endowment acts in $1 million disbursements over the course of three years to support programs and infrastructure at CNU to pave the way for a net-zero environmental impact.
The donation in particular is aimed to benefit the ‘Going Greener Revolving Fund,’ a key part of CNU’s ‘Going Greener ‘24’ initiative.
The initiative focuses around keeping a clean environment through proper waste disposal and recycling. CNU has implemented this predominantly at campus events through creating ample places for patrons to dispose of their waste.
“May this gift inspire each of us to take whatever steps we can, every day, to protect our environment and enhance the quality of life for us all,” Kelly said in his email. “Whether it is recycling a soda can, turning off a light or carpooling to a destination, let’s keep on Going Greener in ‘24 and beyond.”
CNU has continued to make efforts towards environmental preservation, including the implementation of the reusable to-go boxes in the dining halls, which have a 95% return rate according to the university. Other implementations include, but are not limited to, sustainable landscaping designs and groundskeeping practices.
The initiative also focuses to counter climate change and create a more sustainable environment on campus.
“We here at CNU owe it to all of our constituents to be good stewards of our natural and financial resources, and I am thrilled that the Redekop Family can play a role in making CNU more sustainable, with sustainability defined as ‘the ability for social and ecological systems to thrive together in perpetuity,’” Redekop said.
