KALAMAZOO, Mich--Author Judy Wicks, whose focus is on building a compassionate, sustainable and locally based economy, will be on campus this month to help Western Michigan University celebrate National Campus Sustainability Day.
Wicks will deliver a keynote address for the celebration at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, in Room 1910 of Sangren Hall. Her topic will be "Building a New Economy: What's Love Got To Do With It?" The free public event is one of a series of campus appearances she'll make. Additional events include a luncheon roundtable, a student meet and greet, and a workshop the following day.
Wicks
Judy Wicks
The author of the 2013 book "Good Morning, Beautiful Business: The Unexpected Journey of an Activist Entrepreneur and Local Economy Pioneer," Wicks also is the founder and operator of Philadelphia's landmark White Dog Cafe. The business, which she sold in 2009, was well known for its leadership in the local food movement and environmental stewardship. In addition, she is the founder or co-founder of several nonprofits, including the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia and the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies.
Wicks' appearances are part of a series of events being coordinated by WMU's Office for Sustainability and sponsored in part by the Milton Ratner Foundation and the Center for Sustainable Business Practices in the Haworth College of Business. The events are designed to celebrate the day and connect entrepreneurs with members of the campus and local communities.
Wicks' visit to campus will begin with a 12 p.m. luncheon roundtable held at the Office of Sustainability. That discussion is designed to give members of the campus community, local leaders and entrepreneurs an opportunity to network and discuss ways to strengthen sustainable business and local food systems. Following the luncheon, which is by invitation only, Wicks will meet from 2 to 3 p.m. with WMU students.
Interactive workshop
On Friday, Oct. 17, Wicks will join other invited local, caring-economy pioneers in an interactive workshop at the Fetzer Center. The workshop is a half-day venture with 20 to 30 participants who will present their ideas or efforts for "Doing Well by Doing Good" and vote for their favorites. Participants will work collaboratively to help the three top vote-getters develop action plans for next steps in advancing their strategy for building local, living economies.
Those interested in taking part in the workshop should contact wmu-sustainability@wmich.edu to reserve a spot. Space is limited, and reservations are required by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, to participate in the workshop. For additional information about WMU's National Sustainability Day events and to register, visit wmich.edu/sustainability/events/judy-wicks-0.
Office for Sustainability
The mission of the Office for Sustainability is to guide and assist the WMU community in fulfilling and growing its sustainability commitments. Through building a diverse and flourishing learning community around sustainability, it will continually explore and develop new opportunities to create a culture of sustainability and improve the quality of life for all. For more information, visit wmich.edu/sustainability or contact WMU's Office for Sustainability at www.wmu-sustainability@wmich.edu.
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