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Co-founder of Ben & Jerry's speaks ThursdayApril 2, 2007 KALAMAZOO--The focus of an upcoming discussion at Western Michigan University will be environmental sustainability and building a better future--one pint at a time. Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, will be on campus to talk about "Environmental Business" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 5, in the Fetzer Center's Kirsch Auditorium. The event is free of charge and open to the public. Ben & Jerry's ice cream, of course, will be served. WMU student Lucy Kurtz, a senior majoring in biomedical sciences and environmental studies and co-chair of Students for a Sustainable Earth, says that Ben & Jerry's is a model example of an environmentally conscious company that appeals largely to students. "The company is socially active and responsible in many areas of earth sustainability," Kurtz says, "and it's great to have such a notable advocate of increasing environmental awareness come to Kalamazoo." Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream was founded in 1978 in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vt., by Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield. In addition to making ice cream, the company promotes environmental sustainability through recycling and waste reduction, and community support by means of economic and social contributions. Ben & Jerry's developed the "Eco-Pint," an environmentally friendly container made from unbleached cardboard. It recently joined the Dave Matthews Band and saveourenvironment.org to "Lick Global Warming." Greenfield's visit is sponsored by Students for a Sustainable Earth and College Democrats, both registered students organizations at WMU. It is made possible through funding from the College Democrats and the Western Student Association. For more information, contact Lucy Kurtz at lucy.j.kurtz@wmich.edu. Media contact: Tonya Hernandez, (269) 387-8400, tonya.hernandez@wmich.edu WMU News |
