Contributed by: Tyler P. Amy, Waynesburg University

            As much as I enjoyed the lake effect snow from Lake Erie growing up, I always encountered the annual feeling when spring arrives that is simply indescribable. As the magnolias were beginning to blossom on campus and students wore out the winter wrinkles from their shorts, a breathe of fresh air recently swept through our small Pennsylvania campus. Located less than one mile from a bituminous coal plant, fresh air is always welcome on campus, literally and figuratively.

            The breathe of fresh air I am referring to was a visit paid to us by Renewal staff members Anna Jane Joyner and Ben Lowe. Members of our environmental club, as well as the honors seminar and environmental ethics classes met with Anna Jane and Ben to openly hear their story and be receptive and responsive to it.

            Personally, I have been discouraged on campus by the engrained lifestyle choices, including my own, that are absentmindedly made everyday. Anna Jane and Ben provided me answers and advice to reverse these discouragements by adamantly moving forward now, instead of apathetically turning my head.

            Much to my surprise, the rejuvenating breath graciously given by Renewal was not quickly exhaled. The following weekend the environmental club teamed with an all-male residence hall to pull off a successful campus-wide spring-cleaning. Those who participated had a blast finding goodies outside the residence halls and filling a garbage bag with cigarette butts. As gross as it may sound (and it was) we thoroughly enjoyed the time spent together responding to our challenge as Creation caretakers.

            We may not be a renowned leader in green initiatives, but just as the snow melts away to bring about blooming flowers and loopy squirrels, so to our campus is ready for a change of seasons when it comes to campus sustainability.