As the thunderous sounds of drumbeats drew students to GreenFest in Houston Hall on Friday, they walked away with a T-shirt, an eco-friendly bottle of Coke and a new perspective on the environmental initiatives going on at Penn.
Penn Environmental Group hosted the event to put the spotlight on the environment and showcase various organizations’ efforts to promote “green” policies on campus and beyond.
Nursing freshman Lauren Cosgriff, who helped coordinate the event, said that “GreenFest brought different organizations together under the common interest of promoting green opportunities in Philadelphia.”
While learning about the work of organizations from Coca-Cola to PennTransit, GreenFest attendees also received giveaways such as environment-friendly Hydros watter bottles. The event also featured performances from African Rhythms, Red Giants and Penn Ballet, as well as free food, a raffle and a tie-dye station.
College freshman and Penn Environmental Group member Madison Roberts, who serves as GreenFest chairwoman, secretary and publicity chairwoman, said, “We contacted companies around the Philadelphia region and around Penn that were trying to be more environmentally sustainable … It was a great way for them to raise awareness.”
Numerous groups were represented at GreenFest, including Penn EcoReps, Penn Outdoors Club and Green Acorn — an organization started last year by College junior Doug Miller as a way to certify and advertise for environmentally-friendly businesses.
Representatives from the Penn Bookstore were also at the event to sell apparel from United By Blue — an eco-conscious clothing line — and members of the Environmental Science department were on hand to tell students about next semester’s course offerings in environmental sustainability.
Wharton sophomore Amelia Wilson said, “Even though we were rained out of our original location [on Wynn Commons], the energy was great and it was awesome to see different environmental groups on campus in one room working toward the same goal.”
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