Date: Apr 15, 2009

Hofstra Hosts Earth Day Celebration

Center for Civic Engagement Promotes a Series of Events for a Greener Hofstra

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – A three-day festival designed to foster environmentalism and stewardship and to promote awareness of climate change will mark this year’s Earth Day celebration at Hofstra University Monday, April 20 - Wednesday, April 22. 

Hofstra’s Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) is the leading sponsor of the event. Among the highlights of the festival is an Earth Day Sustainability Fair where environmental organizations including New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), Green Man Alliance and Citizen’s Campaign will speak with students about “green jobs,” a display of eco-friendly cars and a “green food” buffet.

Hofstra organizations, such as Progressive Students Union, Students for a Greener Hofstra and the Anthropology Club will also display their green ideas at the Sustainability Fair, and outside venders such as Long Island Power Authority and the Roosevelt School District will provide information on energy conservation and deforestation.  

The fair is designed to give the Hofstra community sustainable options for everyday living and ideas of how individuals can improve the condition of the Earth. 

“Earth Day is important for college students because we are the generation who will inherit the planet,” said CCE intern and sociology major Isabelle Goodman, who spearheaded the event for the second consecutive year. “Students have been at the forefront of the majority of social movements in history. We have a lot of power as a group and we also have a lot of issues.  Although Barack Obama is an advocate for environmental issues, we still need to raise awareness and do our part.”  

The panel events are free and open to the public.  Please visit hofstra.edu/define09 for a complete Earth Day schedule.  Earth Day is part of Hofstra’s Define ’09: New Challenges, New Solutions, a year-long series that will examine the new presidential administration, its policies and initiatives, the challenges we currently face and ways of addressing our country's most pressing issues.

Hofstra’s Earth Day Event Schedule

Monday, April 20
12:50-1:45 p.m. Panel
What is the Role of College Campuses in Combating Climate Change?
Greenhouse, Student Center
7:00 p.m. Awakening the Dreamer Symposium
Presented by the Students for a Greener Hofstra
Room 015 Roosevelt Hall

Tuesday, April 21
12:45 – 1:45 p.m. Panel
What is Environmental Justice?
Room 143, Student Center
2:20 - 3:20 p.m. Panel
Climate Change in the Global Community: Copenhagen 2009
Room 143, Student Center

Wednesday, April 22
11:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Common Hour Sustainability Fair
FREE 21st Century Sustainable Food Lunch Buffet & prizes by Lackmann Dining Services
Green Jobs/Internship Information presented by the Career Fair
Green Auto Show
Green Information and Product Tables
Concert presented by the Office of Student Leadership and Activities
Adams Playhouse Quad
12:50- 1:50 p.m. Panel
The Environment and the Economy
Plaza Room East, Student Center
1:55- 2:55 p.m. Panel
What are Green Jobs?
Plaza Room East, Student Center
3:00 – 4:20 p.m. Lecture and Presentation
Out of Africa: Microfinancing in a Zambian Refugee Camp
Featuring Hofstra Honors College Student Peter Carmen
Greenhouse, Student Center

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from more than 145 undergraduate and 160 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business, engineering, communication, education and allied human services, and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. With a student-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, our professors teach small classes averaging 22 students that emphasize interaction, critical thinking and analysis.

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