University of San Diego Honors 21 Individuals as the First Laudato Si’ Fellows for Their Commitment to Environmental Issues

The University of San Diego (USD) through The Frances G. Harpst Center for Catholic Thought and Culture has honored 21 faculty, staff and community members as Laudato Si’ Fellows in recognition of their commitment and dedication to environmental issues and initiatives. In the 2015 Laudato Si’ papal encyclical, Pope Francis called for urgent action to care for our common home, the poor and the vulnerable who are disproportionately impacted by global environmental problems such as climate change, pollution, access to clean water, loss of biodiversity and a commitment to work together to solve those problems.

Those honored participated in a series of presentations and discussions about each chapter of Laudato Si’ during last Spring’s “Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor” lecture series, celebrating the 5-year anniversary of Laudato Si’. Visit the link above to find out more about each Fellow, their achievements, research and/or community work related to environmental justice, education and sustainability.

“This is an exciting time to be part of the USD community, as we continue to set the standard to ensure a healthy environment and a sustainable common home for future generations,” said USD President James T. Harris III. 

“All of our honorees recognized as Laudato Si’ Fellows share this same commitment,” said Jeffrey Burns, director of the Center for Catholic Thought and Culture at USD. "The Laudato Si’ Fellows are people who are engaging in inspiring work by caring for our common home, putting flesh to Pope Francis' prophetic encyclical on the environment. We seek to recognize and honor their efforts," he added.

Noted environmentalist Dr. Mitchell Thomashow, and Ram Ramanathan from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Vatican Climate Team member, also addressed the Fellows during the March 31 reception at USD. 

Six years after the publication of the encyclical in the Fall of 2021, USD was named a “Laudato Si’ University” by the Vatican with a seven-year commitment to address humanity’s urgent challenges by working together to take care of our common home. One of the first steps the university took in this effort was implementing changes to its investment policy to reflect more Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) and Environmental, Social and Governance practices (ESG). These include investments in enterprises having a positive social impact and demonstrated commitments to diversity and equity. The university also completed a comprehensive Energy Master Plan with a 15-year roadmap for the campus to meet its net zero Greenhouse Gasses (GHG) goals by 2035 - an important commitment to support Care for Our Common Home - one of six goals outlined in the Envisioning 2024 strategic plan.

About the University of San Diego

Strengthened by the Catholic intellectual tradition, we confront humanity’s challenges by fostering peace, working for justice and leading with love. With more than 8,000 students from 75 countries and 44 states, USD is the youngest independent institution on the U.S. News & World Report list of top 100 universities in the United States. USD’s eight academic divisions include the College of Arts and Sciences, the Knauss School of Business, the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, the School of Law, the School of Leadership and Education Sciences, the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, and the Division of Professional and Continuing Education. In 2021, USD was named a “Laudato Si’ University” by the Vatican with a seven-year commitment to address humanity’s urgent challenges by working together to take care of our common home.