Iona University Wins Best in Class Energy Program Award

Iona University prevented 6,593 metric tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the environment since June 2019 – conserving enough energy to power 831 homes for an entire year.
Overall, the University reduced its energy usage by 30 percent from June 2019 to May 2023, surpassing the rates of other colleges in the area, according to Cenergistic, an energy conservation company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, that partnered with Iona during that time.
In recognition of the work that Iona and its students, faculty and staff have done to conserve energy on campus, Cenergistic presented Iona with the Best in Class Energy Program Award on August 31.
“The students here are the future; they’re taking care of the planet,” said Mary Ellen Leder, Cenergistic regional vice president. “The work that you all do here is very important.”
Cenergistic also presented Iona’s Committee on Environmental Sustainability with a $2,500 award in recognition of its achievements.
Iona biology professor Dr. Christina Andruk and psychology professor Dr. Nilofer Naqvi serve as co-chairs of the committee, helping to promote conservation efforts across campus.
Thomas Van Wert, Cenergistic’s campus energy specialist, also works closely with the committee, monitoring energy usage and implementing improvements across campus.
In accepting the award, Andruk said that while she and Naqvi help to steer the community in the right direction, ultimately it is thanks to the effort of all students, faculty and staff that the University has achieved such impressive results. She looks forward to building upon this success in the years ahead.
"This award will allow Iona to continue to support environmental initiatives on campus such as energy reduction, composting, sustainable landscaping and recycling,” Andruk said. “Through academic programs, research initiatives, co-curricular activities, campus greening, committee work and community partnerships, the University strives to cultivate a culture of stewardship that embraces environmental consciousness, social justice and inclusivity.”