The Green Grad program aims to foster students who are dedicated to sustainability at Drake University and who will continue to advocate for sustainability in their lives and future careers. Participating in this program will promote engagement in sustainability research, education, service learning, and events.
To achieve a Green Grad status, students must complete a minimum of 10 sustainability points, which are tracked in Blackboard. Students will then sign a Green Graduation Pledge affirming their lasting commitment to sustainability and receive a certificate. This program will provide incentive and recognition to students engaged with sustainability on campus.
If you would like to participate, fill out a Green Grad Intent form. Once received, you will receive an email from Office of Sustainability staff confirming your acceptance into the program. The point scale and tracking form can be found below.
Please email sustainability@drake.edu with any questions.
2026 Green Grads
Congrats to the May 2026 graduating class! This group of graduates are the third to complete the Green Grad program. Their sustainability efforts are greatly appreciated on campus, and we are proud to see them continue in the world.
Kate Bachmann
Colleen Cain
Kate Hagemeier
Lindsey Siebert
Anna Snyder
Emily Warfield
Harrison Ziegler
2025 Green Grads: Rylee Beardsworth, Sydney Dvorak, Ava Little, Mack Swenson, Katie Krueger, Leif Klarquist
You are responsible for completing the assignments in Blackboard to update any points that you earned. The Office of Sustainability will approve your points, and you will be able to see your total points in the “Gradebook” section of the Blackboard page. Once you have earned at least 10 points, you will sign the Green Grad Pledge stating your commitment to sustainability in your future endeavors.
If you participated in an activity not listed above, but believe it should count towards this program, you can fill out the “Request for Review” assignment found in the "Green Grad Program Information" folder. Points will be awarded based on impact on campus and community and time commitment.
Table describing the different ways to earn points in the Green Grad Program.
Points Awarded
Description
Required Documentation
.5 points
Attend a sustainability related event on campus. Up to 2 points can be earned this way.
Submit event name, date, a photo, and one-page reflection (double spaced).
1 point
Volunteer with a sustainability organization on campus. 4 volunteer hours are need per one point; you can earn up to 5 points in this area. Any Office of Sustainability, DEAL, Epsilon Eta, Next Course, Ducks Unlimited, or Sprout Garden opportunity would qualify.
Certify on DUGood and submit a one-page reflection including event, date, hours, and your role. If event is not on DUGood, please include a picture in your reflection.
3 points
Take a 3-credit hour sustainability focused course and receive a minimum grade of a B-. You are not eligible if you receive points for an ENSS major or minor. May only get credit once.
Attend at least 3 Sustainability Committee meetings.
Host a sustainability related event or program for a Drake Organization.
Submit a digital transcript or screenshot of the course and grade.
Include dates attended.
Submit a 1-page reflection (double spaced) on how the event/program incorporates sustainability and your role.
5 points
Complete an ENSS minor
Complete the Organizational Sustainability & Resiliency business track
Complete a yearlong internship through the Office of Sustainability, SPROUT, or Next Course Food Recovery Network.
Serve on EC or in a board role for DEAL Epsilon ETA, DOLC, or Ducks Unlimited
Serve as an environmental chair or sustainability leader for any organization.
Participate in paid research that is at least a semester long and focuses on a sustainability related question.
Present sustainability research at a conference that is not required for a class.
Submit a digital transcript.
Submit a digital transcript.
Confirmation from your supervisor.
Submit a 1-page reflection (double spaced) on your participation in the organization and initiatives you developed or were in charge of.
Submit a 1- page reflection (double spaced) on your participation in the organization and the sustainability initiative you developed or were in charge of.
Submit a 1-page reflection (double spaced) on the research project and how it is related to sustainability. If you already have a report, you can submit that.
Please submit a 1-page reflection (double spaced).