Welcome to our first blog for the 2024-25 academic year! To all new members of the Bellarmine community—students, faculty, and staff—we aim to keep you informed and engaged in everything related to sustainability at Bellarmine. 

Sustainability at BU logo with Knight headAt Bellarmine, we define sustainability as the integration of environmental health, social equity and economic vitality in order to create thriving, healthy, diverse and resilient communities for this generation and generations to come. 

Last year, we completed our sustainability survey and identified key issues. This year, we will focus on sustainability awareness, particularly our recycling and waste-management campaign; apply for AASHE STARS recognition; align our work with Laudato Si Action platform goals; and apply for grants to support our work to remove invasive species. We will also be revamping our website and enhancing social media platforms for better engagement. 

We will also be at the Involve Fair on September 4. Visit our booth to learn how you can contribute. We need extra hands for our recycling and waste-management initiatives this semester and would be delighted to have you join us. 

If you are an expert in any area of sustainability and would like to share your knowledge with the university community, we invite you to present at one of our meetings. We are particularly interested in initiatives and goals that align with our sustainability objectives and the university’s long-term strategic plan. 

Additionally, Bellarmine and the Louisville community offer several opportunities for engagement: 

We look forward to a productive and engaging year ahead. Let’s work together to make Bellarmine a leader in sustainability! 

Follow us on Instagram (@sustainability_at_bu) for updates and opportunities to engage with us as we continue our journey towards a more sustainable Bellarmine! 

Esther Awovi Akafia 

Ph.D. Candidate, Education & Social Change 

Graduate Assistant and Sustainability Officer