UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Nominations are open through April 3 for the 2026 John Roe Sustainability Impact Awards. Supported by the Dr. John Roe Fund for a Just and Sustainable Future and Penn State Sustainability, the awards recognize students and faculty who cultivate opportunities to advance the United Nations' global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while demonstrating personal integrity, unwavering dedication to their values and morals, and a commitment to the mission and values of Penn State.
All full-time undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from all Penn State campuses are eligible, and winners will be awarded $1,000 applied to their bursar account. Using this student nomination form, any faculty, staff, student or community member worldwide may nominate any Penn State student, and self-nominations are accepted.
Furthermore, all faculty members from all Penn State campuses are eligible for the Service and Leadership Award (as long as their service is student-facing), the Innovation in Teaching Award, and the Excellence in Engaged Scholarship Award. Winners will be awarded $1,500. Using this faculty nomination form, any faculty, staff, student or community member worldwide may nominate any Penn State faculty member, and self-nominations are accepted.
Nominators are encouraged to submit a letter of support of no more than 750 words. They should describe the nominee's sustainability leadership contributions to the campus community and how this has made a lasting difference at Penn State and/or in their campus community, and how the effort has advanced the Sustainable Development Goals.
The awards were named in honor of the late Penn State mathematics professor John Roe, who was passionate about sustainability and the outdoors and incorporated these values into his teaching. These awards recognize students and faculty who have demonstrated a similar commitment to promoting environmental and social sustainability. More information is available on the Roe Awards website.
Submit nominations through April 3 at this student award link and this faculty award link. Contact Peter Buck with any questions at peterbuck@psu.edu.