UF Center for Latin American Studies
April 12, 2018 — Allison Vitt
Contact: Allison Vitt, Outreach & Communications Coordinator avitt@ufl.edu / 352.392.7214
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UF Champions for Change awards celebrates achievements in sustainability, health and wellness
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — UF’s Office of Sustainability and the Healthy Gators Coalition recognized nine individuals and groups during the annual Champions for Change awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 11.
These awards are presented annually to those in the university community who have made significant contributions in the areas of sustainability and health during their time at UF. Nominations are judged based upon the uniqueness of the achievement, the level of effort required, the commitment to sustaining the achievement, and the significance for personal growth or the impact of the achievement on the UF community.
This year’s Champions for Change winners in the category of Health and Wellbeing include: Tammy Bleeker, assistant director for education and training programs in the Division of Pediatric Medical Education; Jacqueline Allegra Curnick, a graduate student in the Master of Sustainable Development Practice program; Teresa Drake, professor and director of the Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Clinic at the Levin College of Law; and Emily Sullivan, director of the Streetlight Program at Shand’s Children’s Hospital.
Winners from the category of Sustainability include: Marianne Schmink, professor emerita and distinguished teaching scholar in Latin American Studies and Anthropology; Sabina Osman, a sustainability studies and business management master’s student; Amy Stein, professor in the Levin College of Law; the staff and team at the Alan and Cathy Hitchcock Field and Fork Pantry; and the Student Compost Cooperative.
Each year, the nomination period is open for a month prior to the Office of Sustainability’s annual Campus Earth Day events, which typically take place in early April. This year, the Champions for Change program received 28 nominations highlighting personal and professional achievements and contributions from faculty, staff, students and organizations at UF.
“Every year, the nominations become increasingly competitive,” said Matt Williams, director of the Office of Sustainability. “There are so many incredible people at UF who are working to make this campus a more sustainable and healthy place to learn, work and grow, and we are honored to be able to recognize and celebrate their efforts through the Champions for Change award program.”
For more information about the Champions for Change award program and to read about each of this year’s winners, visit: http://sustainable.ufl.edu/champions-for-change-awards/.
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Learn more about each recipient and their contributions to sustainability or health and well-being: http://sustainable.ufl.edu/news-events/champions-for-change-awards/2018-recipients/
