Leading By Example Awards recognize the outstanding efforts among individuals, Commonwealth agencies, public higher education institutions, and municipalities that have established and implemented policies and programs resulting in significant and demonstrable energy and environmental benefits
UMass Dartmouth has received a Leading By Example (LBE) State Higher Education Award by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources for their commitment to clean energy and reducing their environmental impact of the campus. University officials received the Award at the annual LBE Awards ceremony, which recognizes state agencies, municipalities, public colleges and universities and individuals for significantly reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, increased recycling, the use of renewable energy and other clean energy and environmental initiatives.
"We're greatly honored to receive this award from the Patrick Administration, recognizing our sustainability-based academic, research, and outreach initiatives. Our dedicated faculty, staff, and students share a goal of building a sustainable, eco-friendly future for ourselves and those who follow us," said UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Divina Grossman. "Sustainability is not the mission of the one. It requires a university, a region, a Commonwealth, and a global commitment. We are also very proud of the of Bristol Community College and the Town of Dartmouth, which also received awards. "
In the past three years, UMass Dartmouth has substantially increased the efficiency and renewability of its energy generation, including the installation of a 600kW wind turbine, a 265 kW solar PV array, and a 1.7MW CHP system that, coupled with efficiency improvements will enable the University to generate on site close to half of its total energy consumption. Other efforts include being the first public university in the state to adopt a voluntary Green Fee to fund sustainability projects on campus, as well as increasing student recycling efforts and impacting behaviors to reduce energy.
UMass Dartmouth distinguishes itself as a vibrant, public research university dedicated to engaged learning and innovative research resulting in personal and lifelong student success. The University serves as an intellectual catalyst for economic, social, and cultural transformation on a global, national, and regional scale.