Recognition and Awards
The university community has made significant strides in creating a more sustainable campus since the Office of Sustainability was formed in 2008. The following sustainability awards and recognitions are the direct result of the collaborative efforts of all the sustainability partners on campus, including Dining Services and Alternative Transportation:
- Tree Campus Higher Education
- Bee Campus USA
- Gold Bicycle Friendly University
- Virginia Environmental Excellence Program Sustainability Partner
- 2025 Best Workplaces for Commuters
- Tree Campus Higher Education
- Bee Campus USA
- Time Higher Education Impact Rankings - top 10% of participating schools (ranked in the 101-200 range)
- 2024 Best Universities for Commuters
- Gold Bicycle Friendly University
- Gold STARS rating
- Virginia Environmental Excellence Program Sustainability Partner
- Tree Campus Higher Education
- Bee Campus USA
- Gold Bicycle Friendly University
- Times Higher Education Impact Rankings - 92nd in the world, 5th in the US
- 2023 Best Universities for Commuters
- Virginia Energy Efficiency Leadership Award
- Silver Sustainability Award, NACUFS, "Sustainable Eats Bike Tour," Outreach and Education
- Virginia Environmental Excellence Program Sustainability Partner
- Governor's Environmental Excellence Award, Bronze, "Student Internship Program"
- Tree Campus USA Certification
- Bee Campus USA Certification
- Times Higher Education Global Impact Rankings
- Virginia Environmental Excellence Program Sustainability Partner
- Princeton Review "Top 50 Green Colleges" Ranking
- Tree Campus USA Certification
- Sierra Club 2020 Cool Schools Ranking
- Best Campus Food in America, #2 Ranking, Niche
- Universities with the Best Campus Food, Top 5, The Travel
- 2020 Best Workplaces for Commuters, Silver Level
- 2019 APPA Sustainability Innovation Award For Facilities Management
- Princeton Review "Top 50 Green Colleges" Ranking
- Tree Campus USA Certification
- Best Campus Food in America, #2 Ranking, Niche
- Outstanding Transit System for North America, APTA
- Best Workplaces for Commuters, Gold Level
- Sierra Club 2019 Cool Schools Ranking
- Governor's Environmental Excellence Award, Honorable Mention, "Sustainability Program"
- AASHE 2018 Sustainable Campus Index
- Pinceton Review Guide to Green Schools List
- Sierra Club 2018 Cool Schools Ranking
- Tree Campus USA Certification
- The Best College Dining Program in Each State, FoodService Director
- STARS Gold Rating from AASHE
- Governor's Environmental Excellence Award, Honorable Mention, "Reusable To-Go Program"
- Tree Campus USA Certification
- Top 10 Best Universities for Healthy Eaters, Healthline
- Governor's Environmental Excellence Award, Silver, "Sustainability Week"
- Tree Campus USA Certification
- Tree Campus USA Certification
- Best Workplaces for Commuters Excellence in Commuter Benefits
- National Association for College & University Food Service Sustainability award for Reusable To-Go container program
- Princeton Review Guide to Green Schools List
- Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award, Bronze, “Student Engagement Programming”
- STARS Gold Rating from AASHE
- Tree Campus USA Certification
- National Association of College and University Food Services Sustainability Award for Outreach and Education
- Princeton Review Guide to Green Schools List
- Best Workplaces for Commuters Gold Rating
- Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award, Silver, “Dining Services Sustainability Programs”
- STARS Silver Rating from AASHE
- RecycleMania Pledge Recycling Drive Champions
- America Recycles Day Photo Contest First Place
- Keep America Beautiful Recycling Bin Grant Recipients
- USGBC Best of Green Schools, Best Collaboration, “Sustainability Week Program”
- RecycleMania Case Study Competition, First Place, “Caught Green Handed Selfies
- Tree Campus USA Certification
- Princeton Review Guide to Green Schools List
- Best Workplaces for Commuters Excellence in Commuter Benefits
- STARS Silver Rating from AASHE
- Princeton Review Guide to Green Schools List
- Tree Campus USA Certification
- Tree Campus USA $1000 Tree Grant Recipient
- Best Workplaces for Commuters Excellence in Commuter Benefits
- Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award, Gold, “Sustainability Plan Implementation”
- Tree Campus USA Certification
- Princeton Review Guide to Green Schools List
- Best Workplaces for Commuters Gold Rating