Judy Wicks events celebrate National Campus Sustainability Day
WMU observed National Campus Sustainability Day 2014 on October 16 and 17 by hosting a series of events featuring Judy Wicks: entrepreneur, author, speaker and mentor working to build a more compassionate, sustainable, and locally-based economy. Wicks created and operated the White Dog Cafe in Philadelphia, co-founded BALLE (Business Alliance for Local Living Economies), and authored the book Good Morning, Beautiful Business.
2014 NCSD EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Over the course of 2014 National Campus Sustainability Day events, the Office for Sustainability brought together a cohort of students, faculty, staff and community members from a variety of backgrounds to celebrate and collaborate. Events included:
- Student meeting with Dr. Tim Palmer's class
- Tour of Gibbs House permaculture site
- Roundtable Luncheon on Food and Community
- WMU Student Meet and Greet
- Public Lecture/Keynote address
- Sustainability Incubator Workshop
During the Luncheon and Community Roundtable Discussion held at the Office for Sustainability on October 16, Wicks and community sustainability leaders explored shared experiences in an informal setting while enjoying a locally sourced "100 Mile market" meal catered by Noel Corwin's Gorilla Gourmet. Broncos, local community leaders, including Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell, and emerging entrepreneurs discussed opportunities to strengthen sustainable businesses and local food systems.
Later in the evening, Wicks' keynote address “Building a New Economy: What’s Love Got to do with It?” reached near capacity in Sangren Hall’s 200 seat auditorium. Audience members engaged in a hearty question and answer session and were able to take part in more intimate one-on-one discussions with Wicks during the post-keynote book signing.
On Friday, October 17, 25 event participants from a diverse range of disciplines in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids gathered at the “Doing well by Doing Good Workshop” in the Fetzer Center. During this collaborative sustainable business incubator format, local business entrepreneurs came together in a creative, free-thinking environment to immerse themselves deeply in a focused process to turn vision into action.
At the end of her time in Kalamazoo, Wicks remarked on the depth and breadth of sustainability initiatives on campus and in Kalamazoo. We even made it to her Facebook page!
