Once again, the University of Oregon celebrated excellence in sustainability across the institution. The annual UO Sustainability Awards recognize a range of stakeholders from faculty researchers and educators, frontline staff, student leaders and local community partners.
This year’s awards honored projects such as the purchase of two electric police cruisers and implementing a full new set of recycling guidelines, innovative research involving global community partnerships and leading-edge technology, and a local nonprofit partnering to educate students and the community on restoration and ecology at UO’s natural areas, among others.
The 2026 UO Sustainability Awards winners are:
- Town and Gown: Willamette Resources and Educational Network (WREN) for their engagement and support of the UO’s natural areas program. Sponsored by Government and Community Relations.
- Campus Design: Highland Hall renovation, UO Portland. Cosponsored by Design and Construction and Campus Planning.
- Student Leadership: Kamala Tippo. Sponsored by the Student Sustainability Center.
- Excellence in Teaching: Kate Mills, Department of Psychology. Sponsored by the Teaching Engagement Program.
- Sustainable Campus: UO Zero Waste program. Sponsored by Office of the Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration.
- Sustainable Student Programming and Support: Holden Center for Leadership and Community Engagement. Sponsored by the Division of Student Life.
- Research and Scholarship: Yizhao Yang, School of Planning, Public Policy and Management. Sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation.
- Innovation and Impact: Danny Pimentel, School of Journalism and Communication. Sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation.
- Sustainable Purchasing: UO Police Department. Sponsored by Purchasing and Contracting Services.
Winners received an award and certificate, and were recognized at a ceremony in May. The UO Sustainability awards are planned and hosted by the Office of Sustainability.