The annual Environmental Leadership Awards recognizes students, faculty and staff, and members of the greater Knoxville community who help to Make Orange Green through their environmental leadership. The awards are a collaboration between the Office of Sustainability and the Committee on the Campus Environment (CCE). The 2025 Environmental Leadership Awards Ceremony will be held on Monday, April 7th.
Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized for their environmental leadership? Or are you planning to attend the ceremony? Use the links below to participate! Nominate a Candidate: Submit your nominations for students, faculty, staff, or community members who make a difference in sustainability. RSVP for the Ceremony: Let us know you’re coming to celebrate these amazing leaders! |
![]() |
Below, you’ll find the list of categories, along with each category’s description and criteria, as well as past winners.
Awarded to a student that demonstrates environmental sustainability or environmental justice leadership in the classroom or as a part of their education through research or an internship. This award is open to all students enrolled at UT, regardless of class status or major. This student should be a leader in the classroom, and lead by example.
Past Winners:
2018- Michaela Humby
2019- Kyra Jones
2020- Genesee Semon
2021- Trystan Bordeau
2022- Maddie Brown
2023- Jaimie Armitage, Hayley Simpson
2024- Mary Grace Graddy
Awarded to a student or students that demonstrate environmental sustainability or environmental justice leadership outside of the classroom, in addition, or separate from their education. This student should be actively engaged in environmental or social sustainability work on campus and in their lives. They truly exemplify what it means to Make Orange Green on campus. This award is open to all students enrolled at UT, regardless of class status or major.
Past Winners:
2017- Alaina Wood
2018- Travis Livingston
2019- Emma Heins & Payton Myers
2020- Kendall Wimberley
2021- Rachel Stewart
2022- Simon Jolly
2023- Katerina Scott
2024- Julia Craven
Awarded to a faculty member that demonstrates environmental leadership above and beyond their job responsibilities. The faculty member does not have to be directly involved with the Office of Sustainability/academics, but should show the importance of sustainability on campus through their everyday actions and interactions.
Past Winners:
2017- Mike McKinney
2018- Holly Dean
2019- Jon Hathaway
2020- Lisa Reyes Mason
2021- David Keffer
2022- Hannah Herrero
2023- Mike Ross
2024- Sharon Jean-Philippe
Awarded to a staff member that demonstrates environmental leadership above and beyond their job responsibilities. The staff member does not have to be directly involved with the Office of Sustainability/academics, but should show the importance of sustainability on campus through their everyday actions and interactions.
Past Winners:
2017- David Byrd
2018- Bethany Morris
2019- Stephanie Langley
2020- Abigail Brumfield
2021- Wayne Mason
2022- Chef White
2023- Holly Jones
2024- Garrett Ferry
Awarded to a community member that demonstrates impactful leadership within the UT community. This person should not directly work for UT, but be engaged in the UT and Knoxville community on enhancing environmental sustainability or environmental justice while increasing our efforts to Make Orange Green on a broader scale. Community members can include, but are not limited to, AmeriCorps members, Aramark employees, City of Knoxville Employees, etc.
Past Winners:
2017- Peg Beute
2018- Michaela Barnett
2019- Mayor Madeline Rogero
2020- Jennifer Alldredge
2021- David Bolt
2022- Luke Sively
2023- Makenzie Read
2024- Kasey Krouse
Awarded to a student organization that demonstrates environmental stewardship through engagement, action, and leadership. This award is open to all active student organizations registered at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The student organization does not have to be in the environmental category, but should make strong efforts toward sustainable actions.
Past Winners:
2017- Hydrolunteers
2018- Food Recovery Network
2019- Alpha Kappa Psi
2020- Student Basic Needs Coalition
2021- Compost Coalition
2022- Student Basic Needs Coalition
2023- Smokey’s Cleanup Crew
2024- Sustainable Business Organization
Awarded to a faculty or staff member who has demonstrated environmental leadership throughout their tenure and will leave a lasting impact on the university after they retire. This does not exclude those who did so as a part of their job responsibilities.
Past Winners:
2017- Dr. John Nolt
2018- Dr. Mike McKinney
2019- Dr. Joanne Logan
2020- Bill Park
2021- David Greene
2022- Mary Leslie Patterson
2023- Chris Cimino
2024- David Brown & Melissa Hinten