Skidmore College - Scope Magazine Spring 2019

5 SKIDMORE COLLEGE Lewis Taub, 93, has completed his 50th elective course at Skidmore, Theater and Culture I. The retired optom- etrist began auditing courses in 1994 when he was 68 years old. At a classroom party, Taub received a gift from the Skidmore Shop, which has phased out plastic bags. The Environment America Research and Policy Center has recognized Skidmore as a top campus for renewable energy. In an April report, Skidmore was ranked in the Top Five Schools for Renewable Electric- ity Generated on Campus per Student (No. 4) and in the Top Five Schools for Renewable Electricity Purchased from Off-Campus Sources per Student (No. 5). Skidmore is also partnering with the broader community on sustainability initiatives. In April, the College hosted the inaugural Saratoga Sustainability Fair, co-sponsored by Sustainable Saratoga, a local organization. Former Sierra Club Board of Directors Presi- dent Aaron Mair spoke about “Democracy, Intersectionality and Building a Strong Climate Movement” and received a standing ovation from a full audience in Gannett Auditorium. The fair brought together more than 30 exhibitors — providing resources on topics such as renewable energy, plastic alternatives, non-toxic products, sustainable gardening, green building design and alternative transportation — in Case Center. There were workshops, an electric-vehicle showwith test drives, and a campus tour that included a look at one of the geothermal energy nodes that heat and cool about 35 percent of Skidmore’s campus. “We’re pleased to showcase the important work that the Skidmore community is doing to make the world more sustainable,” Sustainable Saratoga Vice Chair Bill Boehmke said. SKIDMORE RECOGNIZED FOR SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS