Environmental Ambassador Awards
Register your volunteers with the Office of Student Engagement by April 1st to be recognized on April 22nd (Earth Day).
Annual Sustainability Awards
Every year at our Annual Sustainability Celebration, in April, we recognize those who are creating a positive impact at SIU! Recognitions include Environmental Ambassador Awards, Sustainability Collaborator Awards, and more! Learn more about these programs below.
Environmental Ambassador Award
April 2025 marked our 23rd year of awarding environmental ambassadors!
Photo: 2024 Sustainability Celebration Award Recipients
With a minimum of 30 service hours required to receive the award, we know that our students have volunteered over 9000 hours toward environmental initiatives since the initiation of the Environmental Ambassador Award.
We hope to break the 10,000 hour milestone this year! Students, help us to reach this goal!
Students who participate in at least 30 hours of environmentally related service in an academic year are eligible for the Environmental Ambassador Award, sponsored by the Sustainability Council and awarded by the Chancellor.
DEADLINE: Environmental Ambassador Award hours must be completed before April 1st, 2025 in order to be officially recognized at the Annual Sustainability Celebration on April 22, 2025.
Environmental Ambassador Award
Option A
- If you have not already registered to use the volunteer database with the Center for Service-Learning and Volunteerism, follow the instructions found on their website at cslv.siu.edu. When you register, you have the option of identifying which student groups you are a part of. Be sure to choose Environmental Ambassador.
- After registering, browse the opportunities listed in the volunteer database. A link to the database can be found here: cslv.siu.edu. Click on the description link of each opportunity to find out if the volunteer opportunity qualifies for the Environmental Ambassador Award. Opportunities that qualify are noted with the sentence: “This program qualifies for the Environmental Ambassador Award.” Follow all instructions on the website to sign-up to volunteer at the event.
- Print out the Service Hours Verification Sheet, found on the SIU Center for Service-Learning and Volunteerism website. Circle “Environmental Ambassador” as the “Reason for Service.”
- Volunteer and ensure that the agency sponsor signs the form on the date of the event after you have filled out all other event information.
- Save the form: it is the responsibility of the student to save this form until all 30 qualifying hours are complete. You will use this form for all EAA hours. If there are questions about qualifying hours, please contact the Sustainability Office.
- Submit your form: the completed form MUST be submitted to the Sustainability Office before the deadline (see above). Forms can be scanned and submitted electronically to sustainability@siu.edu with subject line: “Environmental Ambassador Award Option A Submission”.
The Sustainability Office sometimes offers opportunities to volunteer that are not listed in the volunteer database. If you are working on this award while volunteering with our office, ask us to sign your Service Hours Verification Sheet at the time you volunteer with us.
Option B
Environmental Ambassador Recipients
2025 Environmental Ambassadors
2025 Environmental Ambassadors
Full List of 2025 Awardees
- Clover Robinson
- Justin Marconi
- Abby Johnson
- Harrison Gerdes
- Maelin Abbott-Rinehart
- Jack Pizziferro
- Carolyn Harness
- Marie Holtrop
- Jessica Webb
- Madelyn Harrelson
- Olivia Larrison
- Jazmine Zarate
- Rajee Tamrakar
- Opie Piper
- Elizabeth Cheek
- Angie Kuehl
- Sandra Emberton
- Chaya Rice
- Joseph Ragnanese
- Sydney Bailey
- Cecilia Acosta Lopez
- Tess Brummer
- Hannah Connolly
- Jordan Dale
- Riley Donath
- Avery Martin
- Sarah Ramsey
- Santonio Resonno
- Katrina Stanley
- Gladis Sunny
- Timothy Sunny
- Ryan Wang
- Mandy Nevels
- Marsden Fisher
- Katie Wise
- Antonio Diaz
- Raegan Graham
- Fisayo Akinde
2024 Environmental Ambassadors
2024 Environmental Ambassadors
Full List of 2024 Awardees
- Rockette Jaros
- Sarah Depa
- Olivia Larrison
- Marsden Fisher
- Keyla Aguilar
- Chaya Rice
- Bharath Chintada
- Ethan Little
- Elizabeth Lewinski
- Maelin Abbott-Rinehart
- Santonio Resonno
Rockette Jaros
Bharath Chintada
Keyla Aguilar
Olivia Larrison
Marsden Fisher
Chaya Rice
Santonio Resonno
2019 Environmental Ambassadors
2019 Environmental Ambassadors
Full List of 2018 Awardees
- Taryn Bieri
- Raymond Bieri
- Joanna Neu
- Gabrielle Robles
- Zachary Telford
- Holiday Wagner
- Alexis Myers
- Gage Mofield
- Katelyn Toigo
- Seth Traiteur
- Pearl Deku
- Emma Ensley
- Makenna Baxter
- Mary Sohst
- Hannah McComber
- Kaylin Janicke
- Rashelle Runge
- Breanna Whitley
Taryn Bieri
Raymond Bieri
Joanna Neu
Gabrielle Robles
Zachary Telford
Holiday Wagner
Alexis Myers
Gage Mofield
Katelyn Toigo
Pearl Deku
Emma Ensley
Makenna Baxter
Mary Sohst
Hannah McComber
Kaylin Janicke
Breanna Whitley
Seth Traiteur
2018 Environmental Ambassadors
2018 Environmental Ambassadors
Full List of 2018 Awardees
- Evelyn Aden
- Ali Alruzaq
- Angelina Arcuri
- Makenna Baxter
- Scott Deutsch
- Cole Dugan
- Jesse Galaway
- Samantha Griffin
- Alexis Johnson
- Courtney Nichols
- Kaitlyn Novy
- Luca Palásti
- Kathryn Parrish
- Isabelle Rogers
- Rachel Thomas
- Katelyn Toigo
- Breanna Whitley
Evelyn Aden
Ali Alruzuq
Makenna Baxter
Cole Dugan
Jesse Galaway
Samantha Griffin
Alexis Johnson
Luca Palasti
Isabelle Rogers
Rachel Thomas
Katelyn Toigo
2017 Environmental Ambassadors
2017 Environmental Ambassadors
Photo (left to right): Wei Li, Julia Sanabria, Elise Sawa, Katelyn Toigo, Jenna Parks, Dylan Gibson, Anna Feliciano, Celine Aguilar, Andrew Aaflaq, Evan Krieg, Jatoya Hale, Student Sustainability Council Member Allyssa Kolenda, Sustainability Coordinator Geory Kurtzhals, Student Sustainability Council Member Amanda Marshall.
Full List of 2017 Awardees
- Katelyn Toigo
- Elise Sawa
- Julia Sanabria
- Jenna Parks
- Kaitlyn Novy
- Wei Li
- Evan Krieg
- Jatoya Hale
- Dylan Gibson
- Anna Feliciano
- Celine Aguilar
- Andrew Aaflaq
Katelyn Toigo
Elise Sawa
Julia Sanabria
Jenna Parks
Kaitlyn Novy
Wei Li
Evan Krieg
Jatoya Hale
Dylan Gibson
Anna Feliciano
Celine Aguliar
Andrew Aaflaq
2016 Environmental Ambassadors
2016 Environmental Ambassadors
- Alexis Johnson
- Anna Feliciano
- Christopher Bretscher
- Derek Reiking
- Dylan Gibson
- Elizabeth Fraley
- Emily Fielden
- Kara Halerewicz
- Kayla Newsome
- Megan Brown
- Montel Wells
- Shannon Batterman
2015 Environmental Ambassadors
2015 Environmental Ambassadors
- Anderson Logan
- Atherton Tonya
- Baumgartner Luke
- Bradley Kevin
- Connor Zachary
- Correia (Pereira) Bruna
- Diericx Austin
- Dillman Jared
- Gulson Natalie
- Gustafson Jamie
- Harbin Samuel
- Hoyt Lauren
- Hurtado Maribel
- Johnson Jill
- Kupres Jacob
- Laubach Dania
- Lynch David
- McDermott Evan
- McDuffee Tom
- McKenzie Margaret
- Novak Michael
- Potts III John
- Runyon Dalton
- Sanders Emerald
- Schauwecker Karen
- Snyder Michelle
- Souza Bruno
- Souza Ligia
- Stockton Lauren
- Trammel Jacob
- Walker Patricia
- Weber Will
- Wells Tyler
- Wiggins Arika
- Withrow Torrri
- Zhao Ashley
2014 Environmental Ambassadors
2014 Environmental Ambassadors
- Abigail Plecki
- Alyssa Macuiba
- Anitra Dorsey
- Brooke Hagarty
- Christina Penna
- Claire Mueller
- Dania Laubach
- David Lynch
- Jacob Summers
- Jonathan Fitzpatrick
- Kevin Bradley
- Kevin Schrader
- Lauren Hoyt
- Makia Hoormann
- Margaret McKenzie
- Michael Rung
- Shannon Batterman
- Thomas McDuffee
- Vivian Johnson
- William Joy
- Zachary Connor
2013 Environmental Ambassadors
2013 Environmental Ambassadors
- Alicea Settlemoir
- Alicia Luebbers
- Alison Crim
- Amanda Knight
- Brooke Patton
- Cheyenne Adams
- Christian Hidrobo
- Christy Iozzo
- Ellen Esling
- Gina Opper
- James Buron
- Jeff Heim
- Kaia Pirazzini
- Kerry McLeran
- Kristen Taylor
- Lacey Gibson
- Lauren Adams
- Leah Shirley
- Lucas Garcia
- Mark Hermann
- Martin Wilson
- Mary Petrizzo
- Mitchell Vaughan
- Morgan Schulte
- Rachel Hatfield
- Rebecca Filippini
- Ryan Dillon
- Sarah Baxter
- Tamika Gibson
- Tim Harper
2012 Environmental Ambassadors
2012 Environmental Ambassadors
- Alicea Settlemoir
- Alicia Luebbers
- Alison Crim
- Amanda Knight
- Brooke Patton
- Cheyenne Adams
- Christian Hidrobo
- Christy Lozzo
- Ellen Esling
- Gina Opper
- James Buron
- Jeffery Heim
- Kaia Pirazzini
- Kerry McLeran
- Kristen Taylor
- Lacey Gibson
- Lauren Adams
- Leah Shirley
- Lucas Garcia
- Mark Hermann
- Martin Wilson
- Mary Petrizzo
- Mitchell Vaughan
- Morgan Schulte
- Rachel Hatfield
- Rebecca Filippini
- Ryan Dillon
- Sarah Baxter
- Tamika Gibson
- Timothy Harper
2011 Environmental Ambassadors
2011 Environmental Ambassadors:
- Alexzandria Scanlan
- Ashley Marchello
- Brian Thietje
- Chris Peters
- Christian Hidrobo
- Gabriel Garcia
- Genevieve Gieser
- James Naughton
- Jason Mischke
- Kimberly Rowan
- Kory Garrie
- Leah Shirley
- Lucas Garcia
- Martin Wilson
- Melissa Flint
- Michael Jakubowski
- Nathan Speagle
- Nicole Lence
- Pawel Sawiki
- Russell Cerocke
- Ryan Casey
- Theodore Peterson
2010 Environmental Ambassadors
2010 Environmental Ambassadors
- Alex Dover
- Andrew Dennhardt
- Ari Weiss
- Brian Thietje
- Eric Wilke
- John Larson
- Jon Dyer
- Kyle Carevic
- Lisa Thomas
- Melissa Brandt
- Nathan Speagle
- Pawel Sawicki
- Russell Cerocke
- Ryan Grumish
- Sarah Waggoner
- Sherri Wurtzel
- Tariq Whitaker
- William Sutphin
2009 Environmental Ambassadors
2009 Environmental Ambassadors
- Todd Carroll
- Russell Cerocke
- Karen Clauson
- Andrew Dennhardt
- Alex Dover
- Jon Dyer
- Adam Fedyski
- Melissa Flint
- Ryan Grummish
- Sarah Heck
- Felipe Pincheira
- Ryan Pittenger
- Megan Pulliam
- Benjamin Wagar
- Erik Wilke
- Nicholas Longbucco
2008 Environmental Ambassadors
2008 Environmental Ambassadors
- Anita Eckhardt
- Aspen D’Costa
- Christopher Klarer
- James Muhlhausen
- Jason Carey
- Jason Moore
- Joe Batir
- John Dyer
- Karen Clauson
- Katie Thomas
- Krishna Balasubramanian
- Kristen Thorpe
- Leah Otten
- Megan Pulliam
- Sarah Jones
- Steve McInnes
2007 Environmental Ambassadors
2007 Environmental Ambassadors
- Eric White
- Fahran Kathaleen Jaymes Robb
- James Muhlhausen
- Janine Gawel
- Joe Batir
- Samantah Bueltmann
- Samantha Gorecki
2006 Environmental Ambassadors
2006 Environmental Ambassadors
- Benjamin Grant
- Chad Warner
- Janine Gawel
- Jennae DuBois
- Karen Hine
- Kristen Kelch
- Megan Kutz
- Sarah Owens
- Sarah Sutton
- Theo Sutton
- Tina Novak
- Travis Davidson
2005 Environmental Ambassadors
2005 Environmental Ambassadors
- Alex Borges
- Charlie Werckle
- Christen Jessen
- Dan Reilley
- Dave Mincemoyer
- Dereka Ross
- Erica Sharko
- Joe Godina
- Joe Greenleaf
- Kate Bold
- Nikki Basile
- Pete Reilley
- Tiffany Heil
- Travis Davidson
- Travis Smith
- Valerie Rasp
- Will Godina
2004 Environmental Ambassadors
2004 Environmental Ambassadors
- AJ Cessena
- Alex Bartolomucci
- Brooks Letchworth
- Christin Jessen
- Destiny Nance
- Jennae DuBois
- Jennifer Maas
- Justin Maxson
- Kim Stakal
- Kris Schachel
- Laurie Hanselmann
- Megan Howard
- Monica Schwartzkopf
- Nicole wood
- Scott Donovan
- Sheena Harper
- Sorrel Kunath
- Tiffany Heil
- Tracy McEvilly
2003 Environmental Ambassadors
2003 Environmental Ambassadors
- Alex Perez
- Michael Barth
- Jessica Becker
- Lisa Mitchell
- Kris Schachel
2002 Environmental Ambassadors
2002 Environmental Ambassadors
- Allen Dzurny
- Betsy Christine Dunn
- Corinne Kristoff
- Danika Weatherly
- Elisa Grafford
- Gregory K. Brown
- Jessica Becker
- Lauren Kitover
- Lisa Sonnenschein
- Michael Barth
- Michelle Zuro
- Neal Young
- Russell Brunner
- Tammi Skalitzky
Past Recipients
2019 Award Recipients
2019 Honorary Environmental Ambassador Award - Dr. Justin Schoof
2019 Sustainability Collaborators - Justin Harrell
Tree Campus USA Committee
2018 Sustainability Collaborators
Dental Hygiene Clinic - Amber Billings
Saluki Green Action Team Committee: Sally Wright, Amy McMorrow Hunter, and Christi Mathis
2018 Honorary Environmental Ambassador Award - Ron Dunkel, Student Center Craft Shop.
2017 Sustainability Celebration Highlights
Representatives from Plant and Service Operations Building Services team accept a Sustainability Collaborators award.
Photo (left to right): Vice Chancellor Jim Garvey, Mike Brewer, Marianne Wilson, Student Sustainability Council Member Alyssa Kolenda, Sustainability Coordinator Geory Kurtzhals, Student Sustainability Council Member Amanda Marshall.
Sustainability Fellow Austin Nunn accepts a Sustainability Collaborators Award on behalf of the student design Registered Student Organization (RSO), AIGA for the group's work on campus wide recycling signage.
Paul Restivo accepts an honorary environmental ambassador award for his long-standing commitment to sustainability on the SIU campus.
Photo (left to right): Vice Chancellor Jim Garvey, Paul Restivo, Sustainability Coordinator Geory Kurtzhals, Student Sustainability Council Members Alyssa Kolenda and Amanda Marshall.
2016 Sustainability Celebration Highlights
Members of Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional coed business fraternity, are recognized for their collaboration with the Career Closet event.
Dave Tippy, from SIU Grounds, accepts a Sustainabilty Collaboration Recognition Award for his team's support of the Football Tailgating Recycyling initiative.
Dr. Tao Huang (assistant professor, design), and her design processes and presentation class are recoginzed for their design support of the Innovation and Sustainability Hub.
Representatives from University Housing are recognized for numerous collaborations associated with sustainability. Accepting from University Housing are Chef Bill Connors, Brandon Macier, and Anna McNamara.
