On Earth Day, students, faculty, staff, and members of the Michiana community gathered for Notre Dame’s Third Annual Sustainability Celebration to honor the collective achievements of campus sustainability champions and recognize both external and internal partners who are part of Notre Dame’s ongoing journey to care for our common home. This year's gathering had a notable reason to celebrate: It's been ten years since Notre Dame's original Sustainability Strategy was published, and much has changed in the last decade.
During the celebration, University President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., offered reflections on the many sustainability achievements thus far, as well as the continuing work ahead for Notre Dame.
Reflections of progress
Before assuming his presidential role, Father Dowd was an original member of the Sustainability Strategy Standing Committee, which published the University’s first Sustainability Strategy a decade ago.
“Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si’ was a call to all of us, and we have done our best to answer that call,” he said.
Father Dowd reflected on his time as a member of the Committee and the process of envisioning possibilities for a more sustainable campus, saying, “We came up with all kinds of ideas, but of course, putting those ideas into action in the real world is the real heavy lifting.”
Father Dowd shared examples of the University’s commitment to sustainable endeavors, recounting the detailed work of special projects, including the hydroelectric facility and advancing decarbonization, achieving LEED building certifications, establishing sustainability-focused academic programs, and reducing food waste.
“We’re still at the very beginning of this work, and it’s going to be an ongoing effort to translate research and education into transformative action. I know, based on my conversation with Pope Leo, that [sustainability] matters to him,” said Father Dowd. “We must continue building on the legacy of Pope Francis and Laudato si’, ensuring that we are caring for our common home and caring for one another with special attention to those who are most vulnerable among us.”
Honoring external partners
Now in its seventh year, the External Partnership Sustainability Awards honored five campus partners. The award categories recognize the holistic nature of sustainability work, keeping in mind the three sustainability pillars: ecological, human, and economic health. Procurement Services and Notre Dame Sustainability presented repurposed slate roof tile plaques to five deserving organizations. The awardees were as follows:
Business Furnishings received the “Bridging to Business” Award. This recognition honors a local small business partner who not only provides the University with the highest level of customer service, but also serves as a model partner for other businesses in the region. Business Furnishings has consistently helped to repurpose and reuse furniture items from one project to another, saving money and supporting sustainability through circular use. Their work alongside the University has extended the lifespan of furniture across dozens of buildings and counting.
Leanpath received the “Innovative Food Solutions” Award. This company provides and supports the software and equipment that the University uses to track and categorize food waste in the Dining Halls. Using the Leanpath system, Notre Dame’s culinary teams receive real-time data to make informed decisions that help avoid food waste before it happens. Avoiding food waste through meal planning is considered one of the most effective ways to keep food out of the landfill.
Paramount Coffee was recognized for the “Human Rights and Social Responsibility” Award. Through this partnership, the University can serve coffee sourced directly from farms with traceable supply chains, supporting a respect for both the land and the people working on the coffee farms. Coffee is a crop that has considerable sustainability implications, and Paramount is a company dedicated to prioritizing both people and planet as a part of its business practices.
LiveRoof was honored with the “Resilience and Climate Impact Reduction” Award, which recognizes an outstanding partner whose work supports the areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation. Currently, Notre Dame has over 212,000 square feet of green roofs spanning across ten different buildings. Since 2009, LiveRoof has been instrumental in designing, installing, and maintaining these systems.
Finally, R&R Excavating was recognized with the “Operational Excellence” Award. R&R has been a major contributor to several sustainability projects executed by the University’s Utilities team, including South Campus Geothermal, ND Hydro, and West Campus Solar. Throughout these projects, R&R has acted as an extension of the University’s team, helping navigate complex challenges to deliver innovative and often collaborative solutions. This partner’s work aligns closely with the University’s long-term goals and operational mission. Their contributions have helped the University to reduce carbon emissions by 48% since 2005, as Notre Dame continues working to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Recognizing internal sustainability champions
With the introduction of alcohol at the Stadium in fall 2025, it became critical to further refine the collection process of recyclable materials during game days and special events. Alcohol sales mean a higher number of recyclable materials are making their way into the Stadium—with the increased potential of not making it to a recycling bin. Collecting recyclables for large-scale events is no easy task; it is laborious work that requires dedication, consistency, and a desire for continuous improvement. Committed to reducing waste and increasing recycling collection, the Stadium Operations team stepped up to the challenge, increasing recycling by 80% from the 2024 to the 2025 football season. Through their efforts, the Stadium Operations team demonstrated the power of partnership to advance a common goal.
A wide variety of other internal partners were also recognized in verbal remarks, including student sustainability leaders such as the Sustainability Commissioners, Green Team members, and undergraduate and graduate student government leadership. Additionally, all current and past members of the Sustainability Strategy Standing Committee and Small Working Groups were recognized for their invaluable work to advance sustainability on campus.
As the University looks toward the future, the Third Annual Sustainability Celebration served as both a reflection on a decade of progress and a source of enthusiasm for the work yet to come. By honoring the synergy between innovative external partners and dedicated internal teams, coupled with the dedication of campus leadership, the University is well-positioned to meet the challenges of the next decade and beyond.
External Partner Sustainability Awardees are selected through an open nomination process for the Notre Dame Community. Students, faculty, and staff are eligible to nominate partners as a part of the annual process. Nominations are reviewed by a committee of students, faculty, and staff.
Year-round, Notre Dame Sustainability encourages the campus community to celebrate and elevate internal colleagues for consideration in our Sustainability Spotlight! You can nominate them to be featured in our monthly newsletter, The Green Ambassador. To stay up to speed with what is happening on campus, join the newsletter mailing list. Learn more about employee opportunities for sustainability involvement by visiting our staff and faculty resources page.
Originally published by at green.nd.edu on May 06, 2026.