Nicholas J. Hennessy, Ph.D:

Nick serves as the Senior Associate Director of Residence Life for Residence Education, in the Office of Residence Life. His responsibilities extend to all staffing, programming, events, and educational initiatives within the residence halls. Nick has a B.S. from Muskingum College, a J.D. from Ohio State University College of Law, and a Ph.D from BGSU in Higher Education Administration. His interests extend to environmental issues and advocacy of all kinds, including recycling, land use, and property preservation and protection. He enjoys all outdoor activities and sports as well.

Project: Adventures in Sustainability: Creating a "Greener" B.G.

Enjoy the outdoors? Interested in environmental issues? This project will involve plenty of opportunities for being outside, physically active, and enjoying the surrounding area as well as the beautiful (and sometimes not-so-beautiful) weather of Bowling Green. Students will examine the principles of environmental sustainability as they face Bowling Green State University and the surrounding community. Through initial readings of relevant texts, periodicals, and internet materials as well as interactive discussions students will obtain a basic background in sustainability practices within the context of their own areas of influence, with a focus on sustainable/organic farming. Students will also serve the community through the following projects and activities:

… Learning about and practicing organic farming techniques. Students will design and construct a "hoop" greenhouse at a designated location and will plant a variety of plants, vegetables, and other produce;

… In conjunction with the farming, students will learn the process of organic composting and will attempt collaboration and partnering with other university areas;

… Several trips to surrounding countryside will take place to examine various farming techniques already in practice and to talk to relevant and informed individuals;

… Food harvested will be made available to the community in ways to be determined by the class. Additionally, the practical sustainable practices learned will be compiled and made available to the local community in a way that teaches and enables them to practice the same.

As time permits, other related projects may be undertaken, depending on the general interests and input of class members.