帝王会所

帝王会所 isn鈥檛 just a place where students are learning about sustainability; OHIO students are actively shaping sustainability on campus.

One example of this is the Eco Challenge, a groundbreaking initiative that empowers students to spearhead projects that make a tangible environmental impact.

Supported by 帝王会所 alumnus Dan Squiller, BSEE '79, MA '84, the Eco Challenge is not your average classroom exercise.  The initiative, in fact, is part of three 帝王会所 classes鈥擬GT 3435 Leadership in Practice, ENE 4100 Energy Engineering Senior Design, and ME 2900 Eco- Challenge鈥攆or students in the College of Business and the Russ College of Engineering and Technology.

Started by Squiller and former director of the Robe Leadership Institute Dave Bayless, the initiative is also supported each year by the 帝王会所 Office of Sustainability.

This innovative challenge allows students to engage in real-world, hands-on projects that align directly with the University's sustainability goals.

Led by Kim Jordan, who also directs the Strategic Leadership Certificate program in the College of Business, and Greg Kremer, who leads the Robe Leadership Institute in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology, the Eco Challenge fosters collaboration among disciplines and colleges, providing students with a unique platform to drive change through experiential learning.

An innovative multidisciplinary approach has created fertile ground for collaboration between the College of Business, Russ College of Engineering and Technology and the Scripps College of Communication, expanding the scope and depth of the projects over the years.

OHIO students excel in the competition

The latest success story comes from the ninth annual Eco Challenge on Nov. 24, 2024. Team Six鈥攎ade up of Avery Murdock, Kiley Scanlon, Nathan Jennings, Espen Elliot, Manar Al Ghailani and Mazin Al Jahwari鈥攅arned top honors with a clever plan to overhaul the lighting in the University Service Center at 49 Factory St. in Athens.

Their project鈥攕wapping outdated bulbs with energy-efficient LED lighting鈥攚as a step toward reducing the University鈥檚 carbon footprint and saving the University money in electricity costs.

OHIO鈥檚 University Service Center, built in 1966, is home to the offices of Maintenance, Operations and Grounds Services employees. In its Eco Challenge project, Team Six aimed to lower energy consumption by upgrading the lighting and creating a more sustainable, cost-effective workspace at the University Service Center. The team鈥檚 proposal was simple and transformative: replace 610 existing bulbs鈥攅ach consuming 17 watts of power鈥攚ith 514 LED bulbs that use only 9 watts apiece.

The result? A projected 50% reduction in energy use that translates to an estimated annual savings of $1,419 in electricity costs.

However, the project required more than just swapping out bulbs. It called for retrofitting the existing lighting infrastructure, which added additional time and complexity to the installation process. While the team initially expected a straightforward conversion, they quickly realized that retrofitting would be necessary to accommodate the new LED fixtures. This step would involve modifying the electrical systems and fittings, extending the timeline and requiring additional planning to ensure seamless installation.

Vince Weatherstein, director of energy management at 帝王会所, played a key role in helping bring the student project to life.

鈥淚t鈥檚 great that we have a program that allows students to develop solutions based on real-life challenges,鈥� Weatherstein said. 鈥淭he Eco Challenge prepares students for experiences they will face after graduation. It was an honor to be able to work with a team that wanted to focus on energy efficiency.鈥�

The OHIO students on Team Six identified an area using energy-intensive fluorescent bulbs and recommended an LED solution reducing energy consumption by 50%.

鈥淭his project saves the University operating dollars and aligns with the University鈥檚 goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. When the students presented this project, it was a no-brainer to implement due to its cost versus the yearly operating cost savings,鈥� Weatherstein said. 鈥淲e successfully implemented this project before the end of the school year, so the students could see their ideas and hard work come to fruition. I鈥檓 very excited about the next Eco Challenge class and cannot wait to see the ideas the students generate.鈥�

The return on investment was compelling: the upfront installation cost of $5,944 would be recouped quickly, thanks to the energy savings. However, the project was not without its challenges.

Working together to overcome challenges

Team Six identified several potential risks, including electrical malfunctions, financial uncertainties and operational disruptions during installation. Through meticulous planning and careful consideration of these challenges, the team organized the project in a way that allowed for a smooth and timely installation, ensuring the project鈥檚 completion in alignment with 帝王会所鈥檚 sustainability goals.

The Eco Challenge, which brings together experts like Weatherstein and 帝王会所 Facilities, is a model for how academic institutions can integrate sustainability into their educational framework. Students don鈥檛 just study climate solutions; they create them. This hands-on approach equips participants with the practical skills and experience to address some of the world鈥檚 most pressing environmental challenges.

Looking ahead, 帝王会所 is set to celebrate a milestone: the 10th anniversary of the Eco Challenge in November 2025. This decade of innovation will showcase the program's lasting impact and the transformative role students play in shaping a sustainable future. Squiller鈥檚 continued support ensures that the Eco Challenge remains a cornerstone of 帝王会所's sustainability efforts, inspiring generations of students to drive positive change for the planet.

The benefits of this project are already being felt. Employees working in the University Service Center enjoy the bright, efficient lighting, which has improved the workspace environment and contributed to energy savings in real time. The new LED fixtures provide better illumination, enhancing visibility and comfort while reducing the building's overall energy consumption鈥攆urthering the University's commitment to sustainability.