University of San Diego Honors 21 Individuals as the First Laudato Sí Fellows for Their Commitment to Environmental Issues
The University of San Diego through The Frances G. Harpst Center for Catholic Thought and Culture has honored 21 faculty, staff and community members as Laudato Sí Fellows in recognition of their commitment and dedication to environmental issues and initiatives. In the 2015 Laudato Sí 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 Sí during last Spring’s “Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor” lecture series, celebrating the 5-year anniversary of Laudato Sí. 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 Sí Fellows share this same commitment,” said Jeffrey Burns, director of the Center for Catholic Thought and Culture at USD. "The Laudato Sí 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 Sí 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.
Laudato Sí Fellows
Honorary
- James Harris, President, University of San Diego
- Persephone Lewis, Univesity of California San Diego
- Trey McDonald, Facilities Management, University of San Diego
- Veerabhadran Ramanathan, Univesity of California San Diego
- Mitchell Thomashow, Writer, Educator, Environmentalist
Fellows
- Darbi Berry, Climate and Environmental Programs, University of San Diego
- Michel Boudrias, Environmental and Ocean Sciences, University of San Diego
- Julia Cantzler, Sociology, University of San Diego
- Simon Croom, Supply Chain Management, University of San Diego
- Maureen Day, Franciscan School of Theology
- Kate DeConinck, Changemaker Hub, University of San Diego
- Fr. Emmett Farrell, Diocese of San Diego
- John Loggins, Community Engaged Learning, University of San Diego
- Michael Lovette-Colyer, Mission Integration, University of San Diego
- Mary Sue Lowery, Biology, University of San Diego
- Courtney Mayer, Point Loma Nazarene University
- Christopher Nayve, Community Engagement and Anchor Initiatives, University of San Diego
- Mark Peters, Mission Integration, University of San Diego
- Emily Reimer-Barry, Theology and Religious Studies, University of San Diego
- Andrew Tirrell, Political Science and International Relations, University of San Diego
- Emily Young, The Nonprofit Institute, University of San Diego
