Cornell College Continues to Enhance Environmental Studies Program

Cornell College located in the scenic and historic town of Mount Vernon, Iowa was recently awarded a $316,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for the Environmental Studies program at this top liberal arts college. The grant is intended to help Cornell College enhance curriculum and interdisciplinary studies.

The environmental studies program at Cornell College was one of the first in the nation when it was originally formed in 1975. Today, the environmental studies program continues to grow as the interdisciplinary program stresses sustainability across multiple areas of studies from politics to geology to English to biology.

The grant funds are intended to be used to improve integration of current Cornell College environmental course, create field courses in Latin America and to help develop a capstone course for individuals majoring in environmental sciences. The environmental studies program at Cornell College has received close to $1 million in gifts over the past year from donors including the Cornell College Class of 1958 and the Margaret A. Cargill foundation.

Students interested in majoring in environmental studies can benefit from the environmental program offerings at Cornell College. Students enrolled in the environmental studies program can work to solve complex environmental problems. Students are able to take an in-depth look at the forces that have shaped the Earth. With courses that immerse students into the global environmental challenges, students are able to research and understand environmental issues.

Numerous field opportunities also exist for students majoring in environmental studies. Students can enhance their education by studying at the Wilderness Field Station located in northern Minnesota where students explore biology and nature while possibly hearing the distant howl of a wolf or catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Each February, students can also enhance their educational experience by studying biology at the Gerace Research Centre located on San Salvador Island in Bahamas.

The unique One-Course-At-A-Time approach of Cornell College allows students to fully immerse themselves in one college class at a time so they can fully dedicate their energy to becoming an expert on the subject matter. This approach to education has earned Cornell College recognition from numerous college publications including the Fiske Guide to Colleges.

Students looking to major in environmental studies will appreciate the sustainability efforts Cornell College has made on campus. One of the housing units is powered in part by two solar panels and students and faculty members are working together to address environmental challenges.

The additional funds awarded to the environmental studies at Cornell College by the Mellon Foundation will this top liberal arts college continue to offer a great education to students looking to major in environmental studies and other areas of interest.

Sources: www.cornellcollege.com