UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Sustainability and multiple campus partners will host the 4th Annual Student Sustainability Summit on Thursday, April 23, bringing together students, faculty, staff and community members for a day of programming centered on collaboration, recognition and forward-thinking sustainability solutions.
Created by a coalition of student, campus and community groups, the annual summit celebrates sustainability achievements across Penn State and the surrounding region. This year’s theme, “What Else Is Possible?” invites participants to imagine a future shaped by collective action, innovation and environmental stewardship.
All events are free and open to the public. Programming will take place from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., with activities on the HUB Lawn and sessions held in Heritage Hall at the HUB-Robeson Center on the University Park campus.
A day of student leadership and community engagement
The summit will begin with tabling, activities and free electric vehicle rides from 12:30 to 3 p.m. on the HUB Lawn, featuring a wide range of student organizations, campus initiatives and community partners.
From 3 to 4 p.m., the Roe Awards Ceremony will recognize student, faculty and staff sustainability leaders from across Penn State campuses, highlighting their contributions to advancing environmental and social impact.
A student-led discussion from 4 to 5 p.m. will explore opportunities for involvement in campus sustainability efforts, followed by a free dinner from 5 to 5:30 p.m.
Keynote to spotlight environmental advocacy and action
The summit will conclude with a keynote address from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. by Laurene Allen, a Goldman Environmental Prize winner recognized for her advocacy against per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in Merrimack, New Hampshire.
Allen led efforts to hold the Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics plant accountable for PFAS pollution, contributing to the facility’s closure in 2024 and advancing national conversations around water safety and environmental health. Her work also helped inform the establishment of the first federal water quality standards for PFAS chemicals. Online attendance is available for Allen’s keynote with pre-registration.
In addition to her keynote, Allen will visit the State College community on Wednesday, April 22, for a lunch and learn session from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the State College Borough Municipal Building (Room 201). The event is free and open to the public, with lunch provided by Webster’s Bookstore Cafe.
Connecting Earth Month initiatives
The summit builds on Earth Month programming across Penn State, including opportunities for hands-on community engagement. One such opportunity is the 30th Annual Watershed Cleanup Day hosted by ClearWater Conservancy on April 18.
Since 1997, thousands of volunteers have helped prevent more than six million pounds of trash from entering local waterways. During the event, participants work in small groups for four hours at sites across the region to collect and properly dispose of litter, supporting cleaner waterways and healthier ecosystems throughout central Pennsylvania. Together, these efforts reflect the same spirit of community action and environmental stewardship highlighted in Allen’s work and throughout the summit’s programming.
Registration is required to participate in the cleanup.
Questions about the summit and opportunities to get involved can be directed to Natalie Kitts at nck5152@psu.edu or Julius Camper at jac8761@psu.edu.