Accomplishments

Beardshear with sustainability banners hanging out front.

Iowa State Sustainability

The accumulated diligence of Iowa State University students, faculty and staff, in working toward a sustainable future, is represented through a multitude of sustainability recognitions. Encompassing all facets of sustainability, environmental, economic and social, and represented through academics, operations, research and extra-curricular commitment and initiatives, Iowa State’s excellence in sustainability resonates vibrantly.

2019

Received Gold Certification, Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) STARS
Named a Princeton Review Green School, Ranked Top 50
Listed as a Sierra Club Cool School
Recertified as a Tree Campus
Achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Certification for Bessey Hall Addition
Achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for Advanced Teaching & Research Building
Received "Top 50 Green Fleet Award"

2017

Ranked #18 in Top 100 Safest College Campuses in the USA
Listed in Travel and Leisure’s Most Beautiful Schools in Every State
Achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for Sukup Hall
Achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for Geoffroy Hall
Achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for Marston Hall Renovation
Achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for Frederiksen Court Expansion
Achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for Ag and Biosystems Engineering Complex (Sukup & Elings)
Received "Top 50 Green Fleet Award"
Recertified as a Tree Campus
Named a Princeton Review Green School, Ranked Top 50
Established Student Government Green Initiatives Fund

2015

Listed on "The Greenest Universities in America"
Listed "Green Schools," The Princeton Review
Listed "Coolest Schools" by Sierra Club
Ranked #3 Most Eco-Friendly College in Midwest
Ranked “Greenest Campus in Iowa," EcoWatch
Listed "Top 25 Most Beautiful Campuses in the World," Buzzfeed
Listed in "Top 50 Green Fleet Award" winner
Achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for Curtiss Hall
Achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center
Named a Princeton Review Green School
Achieved "Honorable Mention Status for Bicycle-Friendly City," League of American Bicyclists

Accomplishments

Iowa State Sustainability

I have loved getting to see all of the ways that sustainability is incorporated into all sectors of campus and learn from campus leadership about what factors they consider when it comes to making sustainability decisions.

2025

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2020

2019

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2008