Goshen College’s Merry Lea featured in Christianity Today article on ‘green’ campuses

GOSHEN, Ind. – The May 2007 issue of Christianity Today includes a feature article about the trend among Christian colleges to be more environmentally conscious, and includes a prominent photo of and information about Goshen College’s Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center.

The article, “Christian Colleges’ Green Revolution” by Cindy Crosby, chronicles various significant environmental initiatives on Christian campuses across the country, from majors in environmental studies to recycling to sustainable buildings. According to the interdenominational Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, 40 of the 105 North American member schools, including Goshen College, have incorporated such steps of creation care into their campus commitments.

In the article, Executive Director of Merry Lea Luke Gascho, who regularly speaks to professional architectural and engineering groups, is quoted as saying, “Sometimes, people outside the church think we are only interested in heaven and hell. To find out that we actually care about the here and now is a great witness opportunity.”

In addition to noting Merry Lea as 1,150 acres of natural sanctuary and as a place that provides environmental education for 7,000 local K-12 students each year, the article informs readers that Goshen College’s first accredited master’s degree program was approved last fall in environmental education.

In response to Merry Lea being featured in this national Christian publication, Gascho said, “This article is one way for us to encourage other Christian colleges and individuals to take stewardship of the earth seriously. We at Goshen College have been entrusted with a very unique opportunity because of the gift of Merry Lea. We see our responsibility, which grows out of our commitment to Christ, is to be teachers and leaders of humble stewardship by using the earth’s resources in sustainable and regenerative ways.”

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.