About the BCSE

A Brief History of the BCSE

The Center for Sustainability & the Environment was created as the Bucknell Environmental Center in 2005 with support from about 50 faculty and staff from across the University and from students, who helped to define areas of interest. Activities developed around two themes: campus greening and the Susquehanna River. In subsequent months, a third initiative, focused on environmental humanities, was added.

From the beginning, the center sought to create a University-wide platform capable of supporting collaborative, interdisciplinary scholarship, teaching and outreach, situating Bucknell as a national leader in applied research and teaching on 21st-century environmental and sustainability issues.

Since its inception, the center has achieved important milestones, including:

• Earning the 2006, 2013, 2016 and 2017 Bucknell University Barry R. Maxwell Award for exceptional collaborative efforts.
• Contributing to the University's Comprehensive Environmental Assessment.
• Completing the 2010 State of the Susquehanna River report.
• Coordinating the Environmental Humanities Summer Writers Institute in 2009, 2010 and 2013.
• Developing the current interdisciplinary Renewable Energy Scholars program.
• Began restoring Miller Run headwaters, the first on-campus headwaters in the Northeast to be day-lighted and restored.

The center has received significant external grant support from the Jon Ben Trust, Henry Luce Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Chesapeake Conservancy and the Degenstein Foundation.

It features three standing programs:

• Place Studies Program
• Sustainable Technology Program
• Watershed Sciences & Engineering

Each actively engages with students, faculty and staff to conduct and support scholarly work, create teaching and learning opportunities, and maintain connections with partner organizations and communities.

A sample of the center's high-impact work includes:

• Undergraduate research: We support students engaging in sustainability research from across academic disciplines.
• Susquehanna River Symposium: This annual event brings together students, scholars, professionals and conservation groups to discuss research and projects.
• Sustainability Symposium: This annual event features student, faculty and staff panels and posters, demonstrations and speakers that focus on sustainability themes.
• Experiential learning and research opportunities through field stations.

Explore our annual events