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Institutional Notables
 May 2008 / NBC Nightly News feature; "Learning Sustainability at EARTH University"
EARTH University receives news coverage on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams for its unique approach to teaching sustainability.
 December 2007 / Muhammad Yunus, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Speaks at 15th Graduation
December 2007 / President Oscar Arias Speaks at 15th Graduation -excerpt
"Dear young people, many of you have heard the famous phrase dedicated to us by the ex-president of Uruguay, Julio María Sanguinetti: “Wherever there is a Costa Rican, no matter where, there is liberty.” I don’t think I exaggerate when I tell you that wherever there is an EARTH graduate, no matter where, there will be hope, hope for peace. In 1989, the first stone of this university was laid, but the first stone of the construction of a more just, cleaner and greener planet was also laid. Today, you all leave here to place your own first stone in some part of the world. I ask that you please use that stone to build the foundation of a future museum: the foundation of the museum of poverty; the foundation of the museum of preventable disease; the foundation of the museum of intolerance; the foundation of the museum of ignorance.
I would like to leave you with the words once written by the poet Rabindranath Tagore:
“Don’t allow me to pray for refuge from danger, rather to not fear danger when I confront it. Don’t allow me to beg for my pain to be alleviated, rather for the heart to conquer my pain. Don’t allow me to seek alliances in the battlefield of life, rather to seek my own strength. Don’t allow me to flee.”
My brave young people, don’t allow yourselves to flee. Before you are your paths, and before you are also footsteps. Dare to walk your path."
September 2007 / EARTH is Greenest
EARTH University was ranked third on Grist’s list of the top 15 green colleges and universities in the world, outranking several Ivy League institutions. A nonprofit, independent, online magazine, Grist has a reputation for environmentally savvy journalism. Senior Editor Lisa Hymas said, “EARTH University certainly deserved recognition on our list, given its devotion to sustainable development and curriculum that focuses on teaching students hands-on skills to improve their communities and the broader environment.” Grist also commended EARTH for its Rational Use of Resources Program, which aims to instill an environmental consciousness in everyone on campus by supporting practices that will limit the negative impact of its operation on the environment.
September 2007 / EARTH Declares its Carbon Neutrality
Carbon Neutral EARTH University has acknowledged the global impact that CO2 has on the climate and made a public commitment to offer a sustainable solution to this problem. After a University-funded study, EARTH declared its carbon neutrality. The study demonstrated that from its three installations -- the campus in Guácimo, the EARTH-La Flor campus in Guanacaste; and the EARTH University Foundation office in Atlanta -- EARTH emits 1,154 tons of carbon dioxide annually. To compensate for its CO2 emissions, EARTH studied its carbon mitigation and sequestration sources such as its forests, banana, oil palm, and heart of palm plantations, and other crop and livestock production systems. The results demonstrate the environmental benefit of these activities, allowing EARTH to capture 4,448 tons of carbon annually, equaling 16,324 tons of CO2 annually. The University thus captures 15,170 tons more CO2 annually than it emits. “Becoming neutral in carbon emissions further strengthens our commitment to sustainability,” said EARTH University President Dr. José Zaglul.
“This achievement compliments our reforestation and environmental conservation efforts, as well as our research program and the development of sustainable agricultural production practices.”
August 2007 / High Honor
High Honor Representatives of the Congress in Costa Rica named EARTH University’s Director Emeritus, Jorge Manuel Dengo Obregón, Benemérito de la Patria—the highest distinction that the Costa Rican Congress can bestow on a citizen. Legislators praised Mr. Dengo’s wisdom, humility, simplicity, vision, patriotism and his unwavering fight for the development of the country. Costa Rican President Oscar Arias highlighted Mr.Dengo as a man of excellent ethical and moral values, of integrity and of professional excellence.
March 2007 / Ecological Blue Flag
Ecological Blue Flag EARTH was awarded the Ecological Blue Flag Prize by the National Commission, an organization with representatives from the Ministry of Health (MINSA), the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism (ICT), the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), the Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers, the National Chamber of Tourism and the Ministry of Public Education (MEP). The prize was awarded in recognition of EARTH’s commitment to the Rational Use of Resources program and environmental education, and for fulfilling a series of requirements related to the following areas: water resource protection, handling solid and liquid waste, environmental education efforts, and improving water quality for human consumption and tourism (signage, security and health services). EARTH received a ranking of 100 percent and three stars - the maximum number of stars possible in the category of non-coastal community - a result thanks in part to the following accomplishments: 94 percent efficiency in waste classification at the source, 65 percent of generated waste recycled and a 1 percent reduction in energy consumption from 2006, in spite of the University’s growing infrastructure.
Graduate Awards and Recognitions
April 2008 / EARTH Graduates recognized as 2008 National Geographic Society Emerging Explorers
In February, EARTH University graduates, Cid Simðes (1998) and Paola Segura (2001), were named to the 2008 Class of Emerging Explorers who, “push the boundaries of discovery, adventure and global-problem solving.” In April, they traveled to Washington, D.C. for National Geographic Society’s annual Explorers Symposium. With many supporters of EARTH in attendance, Cid and Paola made an impressive presentation to a large audience gathered in Explorers Hall on their innovative business projects aimed at helping rural farmers in the Brazilian Amazon achieve agri-business livelihoods off the land while preventing their traditional slash and burn deforestation farming necessary for survival. As a result of this opportunity and recognition, many more people now know about the important work Cid and Paola are doing and why they were chosen as Sustainable Agriculture and Development experts. This lovely couple readily attributes their success to the education received at EARTH University. Subsequently, they were interviewed on CNN Espanol about their recognition and work in Brazil.
December 2007 / Graduate Receives Award
Graduate Receives Award Paulo Adolfo Reyes, EARTH Graduate from the class of 1997, was recently awarded a $10,000 prize in Nicaragua’s Idea tu Empresa ("Invent Your Business”) National Entrepreneurial Competition whereby individuals submit business proposals for review. The prize allows the winner to implement his/her business plan. With over 118 proposals, seven winners were selected. The competition was sponsored by Technoserve and supported by USAID, Cargill, BanPro, the Nicaraguan Government and private institutions.
September 2007 / Graduates Giving Back
Graduates Giving Back To strengthen EARTH’s relationship with its graduates, the institution initiated its first fundraising effort directed at alumni - the “Children of the Earth” campaign. The response to this campaign has been extremely positive with 255 graduates already expressing their commitment to contribute. As of October, EARTH had received donations from graduates from Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela and Spain and every Central American country. Three graduates have stepped up to make significant contributions. Osael Maroto from Costa Rica, class of 1994, made a commitment to provide a matching gift equal to the funds raised through the campaign for a maximum contribution of $7,075 - equivalent to a half-scholarship. Teofilo Cuesta from Colombia, class of 1999, has committed to donating $1,400 annually for the next four years. Jean Beltret, from the Dominican Republic, has also committed to donating a matching fund equal to the amount donated by his graduating class of 2000. With this preliminary success, EARTH is working with even greater determination to raise a half- scholarship from all the graduates so that EARTH can obtain the matching contribution and offer the first “Children of the Earth” scholarship next year.
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