Hanley Sustainability Institute
Passion and Purpose
Through deepening existing partnerships and developing many new partnerships on and off campus, the Hanley Sustainability Institute is working with the University and Dayton community to make progress towards our goal of a more sustainable campus and community and becoming a leader in sustainability education. In 2019, the University added sustainability undergraduate degrees to go along with the existing sustainability minor and graduate certificate.
STARS GOLD
UD ranks in the top 2 percent of all AASHE STARS-rated schools; first in Ohio and second among all U.S. Catholic colleges and universities
A 'SIERRA' COOL SCHOOL
UD again named the only Midwestern educational institution in the top 20 of Sierra Club's Cool Schools for sustainability and third among all U.S. Catholic colleges and universities
Climate Commitment
In 2019, University of Dayton President Eric Spina updated the University's sustainability goals to include taking meaningful action through our planning processes to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and to collaborate with other Miami Valley organizations in planning for climate resilience. This commitment includes the formation of the 15-member UD Climate, Action, Resilience, and Environmental Sustainability (CARES) Council.
Our role is not just to help implement projects. I like to think of us as providing strategic leadership in how sustainability can be approached on campus.
Student Involvement
Sustainability Club
The student-driven club is not part of the Hanley Sustainability Institute, but there is crossover among HSI leaders and representatives.
Sust. Club Instagram
Rivers Institute
The Rivers Institute's goal is to work alongside the Greater Dayton community to promote, preserve and protect our watershed.
Rivers Institute website
MEEC
The Marianist Environmental Education Center slogan is Restoring Communities of Land and People and hopes people live in communion with the land.
MEEC websiteSTUDENT INVOLVEMENT
ETHOS
The ETHOS Center provides service-learning experiences through technical immersions, student activities, research and hands-on projects.
ETHOS website
Human Rights Center
The HRC recognizes the link between a sustainable climate and human rights. The two centers work together in many ways.
HRC website
Campus Projects
Student-involved initiatives include the solar prairie at Curran Place, the green roof at Kennedy Union plus the Lincoln Hill and River Campus gardens.
Sust. Reps/LeadersGrowing Together in Sustainability
Along with numerous on-campus partners, many any off-campus groups have and are working with the University of Dayton to achieve sustainability-related initiatives. Our thanks go to those organizations who have been instrumental in the Solar Prairie, the Kennedy Union green roof, both the Lincoln Hill and River Campus gardens and other projects.
Community Partners
Growing Together in Sustainability
Along with numerous on-campus partners, many any off-campus groups have and are working with the University of Dayton to achieve sustainability-related initiatives. Our thanks go to those organizations who have been instrumental in the Solar Prairie, the Kennedy Union green roof, both the Lincoln Hill and River Campus gardens and other projects.
Organizers of the on-campus event to observe the Global Climate Strike Sept. 20 wanted their chants and written messages to turn into personal and transformative action. “We aren’t just here holding up signs. We aren’t here just telling stories,” said organizer Jared Marsh, who is pursuing a bachelor's degree in human rights studies. “We’re here to start taking pledges, commitments, start making the change.”
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Emily Skill graduated in 2017 from the University of Dayton with a bachelor’s degree in geology and a minor in sustainability, energy and the environment. She heard then that a major in sustainability may be in the works. This fall, it’s happening.
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For George Hanley ’77 and Amanda Hanley, the return on their investment in sustainability at the University of Dayton has been worth every penny. Thursday, Sept. 19, marks the fifth anniversary since their $12.5 million gift formed the Hanley Sustainability Institute and refueled ongoing sustainability initiatives and academic programs.
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In less than two years, the University of Dayton has transformed the front lawn of Daniel J. Curran Place into a “living laboratory” dedicated to sustainability. A solar array was installed in 2018 and a pollinator prairie was planted under those panels this spring. Those projects work hand in hand, according to Hanley Sustainability Institute student leader Elise Erhart. The solar prairie is the among the first in Ohio.
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Sustainability Events Calendar
Join our project teams, campus partners, invited speakers and more for engaging events that inform and inspire.
Upcoming sustainability events
UD Achieves STARS Gold
The University of Dayton earned its first gold rating for its sustainability achievements in the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS).
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