Sustainability
Our Colors May Be Red and Blue, But We Also Look Good In Green
The University of Dayton is a leader in sustainability efforts, and we're committed to making the world a better place — for everyone.
Our work toward a more sustainable world crosses disciplines, programs and divisions. Dining Services runs one of the largest food-composting program in the nation. Through the Green Revolving Fund, UD faculty, staff and students can propose sustainability projects that promote environmental stewardship and save the University money.
We're a charter participant of the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating (STARS) system, and we earned a gold rating for our sustainability achievements. As a top performer in the 2019 sustainable campus index, UD ranked in the top 3% of all rated schools, first in Ohio and second among all U.S. Catholic colleges and universities.
A fair trade university, UD is part of the U.N. Global Compact, the Global Catholic Climate Movement, Second Nature's Resilience Commitment, Second Nature's Carbon Commitment and "We're Still In."
Top 20
Ranked a "cool school" by Sierra Magazine for our sustainability efforts.
#1
Earned a gold STARS rating for our sustainability achievements.
#1
Home to what's thought to be the largest food-composting program in the nation.
Lincoln Hill Gardens
A partnership among the University of Dayton, East End Community Services and Mission of Mary Cooperative is working to transform the former Lincoln Elementary School site into an urban farm and greenspace to serve the common good.
Hanley Sustainability Institute
Through our Hanley Sustainability Institute, we have developed innovative, transdisciplinary projects that have made a visible, positive impact on the campus and surrounding community.
Hanley Sustainability InstituteGreen Revolving Fund
With the Green Revolving Fund, we're changing the way we operate – literally. This program invests funds into green projects, and once the project pays for itself, we use the savings to invest in another sustainable project.
Green Revolving FundRenewable and Clean Energy
Our master's program in renewable and clean energy attracts the best and brightest from around the globe.
Renewable and Clean EnergySustainability Program
This program focuses on solving sustainability issues through collaboration across several academic disciplines.
Sustainability ProgramDiscoveries that Benefit Humanity
We conduct millions of dollars in sponsored research annually in virtually all areas of energy — wind, fuel cells and batteries, algae, coal-to-liquid fuels and other clean, alternative energy research. And our scientists are leading synthetic fuel efforts at a one-of-a-kind U.S. Air Force facility.
The von Ohain Fuels and Combustion Center in the School of Engineering is ranked by NASA among the top three fuels and combustion programs at national research universities, and the state of Ohio has named the University of Dayton a Center of Excellence in Fuels and Combustion.
Sustainability Research
Solar Prairie Blooms into a Living Laboratory
In less than two years, the University transformed the front lawn of Curran Place into a "living laboratory" dedicated to sustainability. The solar prairie is the among the first in Ohio.
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Renewable Energy Research
The European Union has awarded researcher Bob Brecha a two-year, $200,000 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship to work with Berlin-based Climate Analytics on bringing renewable energy to developing countries and examining the impact on areas accessing electricity for the first time. Only about 14% of applicants receive the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship.
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Solar Power
Not wanting to waste the opportunity his godmother gave him to pull himself out of poverty, François Vibert battled through his darkness to earn a Fulbright scholarship he hopes will enable him to provide the gift of light to his native Haiti.
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