A celebration was held for a Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design gold award that was presented to the leadership studies building.
Tamara Bauer, coordinator for student services and communications, said the achievement was important.
“Well once we knew we were being recognized as LEED gold certified, we knew it was a monumental achievement for K-State,” Bauer said. “We wanted to celebrate for leadership studies; we’re hoping this building is the first of many sustainable buildings in the future.”
About 50 were in attendance at the ceremony.
Ruth Dyer, senior vice provost, said she appreciated the environmental friendliness of the building.
“One of the things I like the best is the outdoor amphitheater,” Dyer said. “It’s the end of March; it’s going to get warmer so I am looking forward to the use of the outdoor amphitheater.”
Ben Champion, director of sustainability, reflected on his experiences with the leadership studies building.
“I was two weeks on the job as sustainability director when I got called into the design build team,” Champion said. “It happened because leadership studies took the lead and said ‘we are going to do this.'”
Champion and Bauer both indicated that the leadership studies building was the first at a university to be certified gold.
Tim Cole, director for the U.S. Green Building Council, presented the plaque, and complimented K-State’s effort to be environmentally friendly.
“This is my favorite thing to do — to come to a campus, see the plaque, and know what it represents,” Cole said. “It’s always my honor and my pleasure to do these plaque presentations. It gets me pumped up.”
Grant Goodack, leadership ambassador and sophomore in economics, also enjoyed the celebration.
“I thought it was really nice to recognize the building for the standing it has on campus,” Goodack said. “Everybody complements it for how nice it looks, but there is more to it than that.”