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North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State

University has a history of providing leadership in

addressing environmental sustainability issues

through interdisciplinary centers, institutes and

academic programs at all degree levels. These

interdisciplinary collaborations have made the

University a major contributor to understanding

sustainability on a global scale.

N.C. A&T has taken advantage of the Higher Education

Sustainability Bill (The Higher Education Opportunity

Act-P.L. 110-315) signed by President George W. Bush in

2008. In March 2011, Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr.

launched a robust recycling program and encouraged

everyone to recycle. The goal of the recycling program

is to improve the quality of life now and in the future.

The university’s sustainability programs are

highlighted by natuculture-biomimicry, constructed

wetlands, aggies recycle, recycling audit, bio-energy

and bio-fuel production, sustainable buildings,

sustainable transportation, trayless dinning, climate

change and hazmat training.

Godfrey A. Uzochukwu, PhD

Professor and Director, Interdisciplinary Waste

Management Institute

Preface

Preface ....................................................................2

Message from the Chancellor ........................3

UNC-Tomorrow ....................................................4

Green Institutes, Centers and Programs ....5

Natuculture – Biomimicry ................................6

University Farm ....................................................8

Green Paw Aggies ..............................................9

Constructed Wetlands ......................................10

Aggies Recycle ....................................................12

Recycling Audit ....................................................13

Bio-Energy..............................................................14

Bio-Fuels ................................................................15

Sustainable Buildings ........................................16

Sustainable Transportation..............................17

Environmental Recyclable Purchasing........18

Trayless Dining......................................................19

Hazmat Training ..................................................20

Contents

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Message from the

ChancellorNorth Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is an important intellectual

and cultural center in the Piedmont Triad community, and it contributes significantly

to improving the quality of life for citizens of North Carolina, the nation and beyond.

Institutions of higher learning play an important role in promoting sustainability

practices. At N.C. A&T, our students are trained to plan for a sustainable future through

practices that become a way of life.

At A&T, we have invested in cutting-edge sustainable activities that aim to improve

quality of life as well as protect the environment. We also have focused on creating

environmentally sustainable operations, such as the use of electric cars, energy

conservation, water conservation, recycling (and using recycled products), electronic

purchases, electronic mailing, and complying with North Carolina's sustainable

reporting requirements.

Our university has embraced sustainability as a core value. This report summarizes our

efforts and accomplishments.

Harold L. Martin Sr., PhD

Chancellor

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UNC-TomorrowEnvironmentalSustainability“…North Carolina A&T State University (N.C. A&T) is a learner-centered community that develops and preserves intellectualcapital through interdisciplinary learning, discovery, engagement,and operational excellence. The University is committed tofulfilling its fundamental mission through exemplaryundergraduate and graduate instruction, scholarly and creativeresearch, and effective public service. The UNC-Tomorrowinitiative presents many opportunities for N.C. A&T to achievethese goals…”

In the UNC-Tomorrow Phase II Response Plan, N.C. A&T identified how to implement the key

priorities in the context of the Commission’s Major Findings and Recommendations. The

context addressing environmental sustainability challenges that North Carolina faces now

and in the future. To effectively respond to the present and future needs of North Carolina,

N.C. A&T is committed to maintaining and increasing high academic standards, the quality

of its degree and research programs, and adding new academic degree programs to ensure

graduation of well-educated students prepared for the competitive global economy.

UNC-Tomorrow Report

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The Interdisciplinary Waste Management Institute (WMI)The WMI was established in 1994 as an interdisciplinary academic support unit withresearch and public service functions. The purpose of the WMI activities is to enhanceawareness of environmental and sustainability issues needed to improve the quality oflife and protect the environment. The institute offers undergraduate and graduatecertificate programs in waste management, organizes national environmentalconferences, advises students who are interested in environmental and wastemanagement careers, provides scholarships to students and helps coordinateenvironmental and waste management instruction, research, outreach, internships,faculty development, and student development that exists in individual departments.The effectiveness of the WMI is specifically assessed through: the number of studentsreceiving WMI certificates, the number of partnerships established, the number offunded scholarships awarded, and the number of lecture series and invited guestspeakers.

The Center for Energy Research and Technology (CERT)CERT was established in 1984 and approved by the UNC System as a Center in 2001. Itworks with the State Energy Office and its activities include research, outreach andextension, and education with an emphasis on underrepresented populations. Asbuildings are responsible for almost half of the energy use in the State, CERT’s goalsinclude facilitating the application of energy-related technologies to buildings,collaborating with the building industry, and developing University-wide relationshipswith the public and the private sectors. The effectiveness of CERT is specifically assessedthrough the number of students receiving training in energy-related areas.

Green Institutes, Centers and ProgramsC

ERT

Godfrey A. Uzochukwu, PhDProfessor and DirectorInterdisciplinary Waste Management Institute

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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)Interdisciplinary Scientific Environmental TechnologyCooperative Science Center (ISETCSC)The mission of ISETCSC is to develop capacity in research in NOAA’s scientific areaswithin N.C. A&T and six partner institutions (including NCSU) to be able to trainundergraduate and graduate students in NOAA’s scientific areas and increase publicawareness through K-12 summer camps and teacher workshops. Its overall goal istechnology development for understanding climate and environmental change. Theprimary objective of ISETCSC is producing underrepresented doctoral students inNOAA’s scientific areas. The effectiveness of the ISETCSC is specifically assessedthrough: the number of students receiving training in NOAA’s sciences; the number ofgraduates in NOAA sciences; career success of graduates; number of collaborationswith NOAA scientists; leveraging of NOAA funding and; relevance of the research tothe needs of NOAA.

Energy and Environmental Studies (EES) PhD ProgramThe EES PhD faculty research advisers for the students come from the College of Artsand Sciences, School of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, College of Engineering,School of Business & Economics, and School of Technology. The program is traininginterdisciplinary leaders in global energy and environmental issues. This is an effortto increase the number of underrepresented professionals and educators, especiallyAfrican Americans, available to work in the energy and environmental fields.

NO

AA

IS

ETC

SC

EES

Natuculture (pronounced ná-chew-culture), a term originating from North Carolina Agricultural

and Technical State University (N.C. A&T), is any human-made system that mimics nature in human

disturbed landscapes. The term is derived from ‘nature culture.’ Since 2008, multigenerational teams

of students from different disciplines have been designing and implementing natuculture systems on

the campus of N.C. A&T. Students converted a portion of a conventional lawn – which we call a ‘drug-

addicted carpet’ that has very limited utility – into a natuculture system. Now the landscape at this

site near the N.C. A&T football stadium, is a vibrant, biologically diverse, multifunctional and

ecologically complex system. Features of the system include a green roof, a rain garden, a rainwater

harvester, a solar powered bird pond, bird feeders, and at least 50 species of flora. It is visited by an

array of birds, including American gold and red finches, titmice, Carolina chickadees, mourning doves,

hawks, downy wood peckers, and cardinals. Other fauna, insects and arthropods that feed at the site

include bumble bees, spiders, butterflies, squirrels and a ground hog named ‘Arnold.’

In addition, following the example of First Lady Michelle Obama, 32 six-by-three foot raised vegetable

beds, which we call “oasis sofas,” were established. The purpose of the oasis sofas is to demonstrate

and research ways to bring nutritional food into home deserts using very limited space. A home

desert is defined as a household whose diet barely contains nutritious food. The oasis sofa is a

scientifically replicated study that compares conservation agriculture with conventional methods to

produce vegetables in urban areas. Conservation agriculture mimics a forest the ecosystem, and the

practice has been shown to double yield, be eco-friendly, sequester carbon, improve soil and water

quality, arrest erosion, save on fossil fuel and labor, and significantly decrease use of artificial

chemicals by providing natural fertilizers. Graduate and undergraduate students have been

monitoring and will write scientific papers about soil quality, yield, artificial fertilizer use, biomass,

carbon sequestration, profit, and many other variables in the oasis sofa study. This study is also an

excellent tool that exposes students to the benefits of healthy living.

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Manuel Reyes, PhDProfessor, Bio Engineering Program

Natuculture - Biomimicry in Urban Landscapes

Natuculture has spread beyond the N.C. A&T

campus. Partnerships have been and are being

developed with five K-12 campuses and also with

a health care facility for the underserved. The

partners are General Greene Elementary School,

Aycock and Neal Middle Schools, Dudley and

Southern High Schools, and CAARE, a non-profit

organization that promotes a holistic and

community approach to health and seeks to

address disparities in health care access. Most of

these campuses are underserved with

predominantly African-African and Hispanic

populations.

Natuculture can be a transition for permaculture. When several natuculture systems stably synergize,

the site is transformed into a permaculture system. ‘Permaculture is the conscious design and

maintenance of agriculturally productive ecosystems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience

of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of landscape and people — providing their

food, energy, shelter, and other materials and non-material needs in a sustainable way. The

philosophy behind permaculture is one of working with, rather than against nature; and of protracted

and thoughtful observation rather than protracted and thoughtless action

(http://permaculture.org.au/what-is-permaculture/).

Thanks are extended to the Environmental Protection Agency’s People, Prosperity, and Planet (P3)

student design contest, which triggered this idea and provided funding for students to carry out

designs and compete nationally, and to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-Natural

Resources Conservation Service for supporting student scholars who acted on this idea. Additional

support was provided by the USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture 1890 Capacity Building

and Evans-Allen Formula grants, concepts in conservation agriculture were learned from a United

States Agency for International Development SANREM-CRSP project in Southeast Asia, and technical

expertise was provided by NC State University and N.C. A&T Cooperative Extension.

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TheUniversityFarm

Farm Manager Leon Moses

is inspecting hay that is

stored at the farm. The no-

till farm produces its own

hay throughout the regular

cropping season to feed our

animal herds of sheep,

goat, beef and dairy cows

during winter months. The

farm also grows cover

crops on all land that is

used for corn, soybean and

wheat.

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Green Paw Aggies is a new student organization

on campus that helps North Carolina A&T become more

sustainable and reduce the carbon footprint. Green Paw

Aggies was previously under the umbrella of ASABE

(American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers).

One of the main objective of Green Paw Aggies is to serve as

a collection pool for all environmental and sustainable

issues on campus. The primary responsibilities of Green

Paw Aggies include but are not limited to:

Green Paw Aggies – Campus EnvironmentalLeadership Group

• Developing the next generation of “Green” leaders and increasing the base of

students calling for sustainable changes

• Serving as an educational tool for N.C. A&T and surrounding communities for

issues dealing with sustainable changes and green economic development

• Promoting and coordinating eco-friendly and economic sustainability goals and

initiatives for the campus and the surrounding community

• Creating and upholding a collaboration between students, student

organizations, faculty and staff.

Ashley Wade

Civil/Architectural Engineering Senior

President, Green Paw Aggies

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nimal production which is

vital for protein demand and

the economy is one of the

major components of United States

agriculture. Animal production brings along

a baggage of waste production and

environmental problems. These problems

are related to odor, pathogens,

concentration of nutrients, and limited land

availability for treatment. Particularly in the

swine industry, large swine production

occurs in confinement and generates large

quantities of waste in a limited per-unit

area. Traditionally, swine operations in

many parts of the world flush the waste

from swine houses into an anaerobic lagoon

and from there the lagoon water is applied

on the land for treatment. In many places,

the limited land and continuous

applications of wastewater pose a threat to

the surface and ground water quality.

The constructed wetlands can be a pre-

treatment technology before land

application to reduce water quality

pollution and to meet environmental

AConstructed Wetlands

regulations. Constructed wetlands have

been used or at least investigated for

treatment of animal waste in the United

States and around the world. Constructed

wetlands are cost- effective, passive, easy to

operate, efficient in nutrient removal,

flexible in soil specificity, and

environmentally friendly. Even though

constructed wetlands have been proven in

nutrient removal, it could be a challenge to

treat highly concentrated swine wastewater

and to understand the function through its

physical, chemical, and biological processes.

North Carolina A&T State University

received approximately $20,000 from the

Army Core of Engineers to construct

wetlands at the swine unit on the

University Farm. Six marsh-pond-marsh

constructed wetland cells (44 m length and

11m width) were designed in 1995. Each cell

had a 20 m middle pond section and 10 m

marsh section at the influent and effluent

ends. Shallow sections with marshes at the

influent and effluent ends and deep section

in the pond had an operating water depth of

15 cm and 75 cm, respectively. The marsh

G.B. Reddy, PhDProfessor, Natural Resources and Environmental Design

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sections were planted with cattails and

bulrushes in March 1996. Later in 2004, the

two cells were converted into complete

marsh. Several years of research was

conducted in cooperation with the USDA-

ARS station scientists at Florence, SC to

understand the wetland system in removal

efficiency of nutrients and pathogens. With

our experience, we learned that these

wetlands are efficient in removing nitrogen

and partial removal of phosphorus and

pathogens. We understood the bacterial

communities and their functionalities in

nutrient removal. In essence, swine

operators can use constructed wetlands as

pre-treatment before land application to

reduce the excess accumulation of

phosphorus in soil and reduce water

pollution.

Apart from our research activities, these

wetland facilities were used for teaching

undergraduate and graduate students. Also,

these facilities are visited year round by

school children to see the wetland

ecosystem and bird watch.Dr. G.B. Reddy

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AggiesRecycle

Co-MingledRecycling

Reduce Reuse Recycle

Commingled Recyclingrefers to the disposal ofrecyclable materials thatcan be disposed of into thesame recycling container.Aluminum, Plastic, Paperand Glass can go intothese containers in anenvironmentally safemanner.

Plastic Bottles

PLEASE RECYCLE...

CansJugs

Glass

Dry Paper

MagazinesBucketsAerosol Cans

Crates

Food Cans

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The purpose of a recycling audit is to determine containers needs, proper and improper use. The auditinvolves visual inspection of materials, interviews, data collection, and assessment.

Objectives• Assess the functionality and efficiency of the recycling bins• Discern the reasons behind improper usage of the recycling bins• Promote awareness about recycling bins• Encourage proper usage of recycling bins• Find ways to make the idea of recycling more appealing to the student body

On-site activities1. Entrance Briefing2. In-depth Interviews3. Visual inspections4. Examine records5. Record site observations

Post audit activities:1. Detailed Information Analysis2. Preparation of Draft Audit Report3. Review of Draft Report4. Final Audit Report with Corrective Action Plan

Sample Questionnaire1. Did you know that we have recycling bins on campus?2. Do you use them often?3. Why or why not?4. What goes in the recycling bins on campus?5. Have you ever put a “non-recyclable” in the recycling bin?6. If you see someone else putting a “non-recyclable” in the bin, would you correct them?7. Why or why not?8. If you could change something about the bins, (i.e the look, location, etc.) what would you change?9. How can the University make recycling more appealing to the students?10. What can the students do to encourage more awareness about recycling on campus?

Joseph Fisher, Jennifer McClendon, Lucas Suarez, Quazi Rahman, Ashley Wade and Genero Perez-de Leon

Recycling Audit

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MissionTo serve as a resource in energyeducation and research in thestate of North Carolina and theSouth East region, in the field ofbiological and thermochemicalconversion of biomass to bio-fuelsand by-products.

Bio-energy

In 2011 we produced 13 billion gallons of ethanol from corn crop. We need to produce 20 billions

gallons more ethanol in the next 10 years from crop residues and woody biomass instead of corn.

We have a well equipped fermentation lab in JSNN and a gasification facility at the A&T farm for

converting crop residues and woody biomass to ethanol.

Production of ethanol from cellulosic biomass such as crop residues is both sustainable and

environmentally friendly. Using such fuels can improve our air quality and enhance our energy

independence.

Production of Bio-fuel from Agricultural Wastes

Abolghasem Shahbazi, PhDProfessor, Natural Resources and Environmental Design

Thermal Degradation Characteristics of Biomass inthe Presence of Air, CO2 and N2The objectives of this research are to investigate the chemistry of biomass gasification and the

reactive gas-particle flow behavior in a fluidized bed gasifier, and to advance biomass gasifier design

and operation.

Gasification has already been proven as a robust technology that can be used to convert a low value

and highly distributed solid biomass such as forest, agricultural and organic processing residues to a

uniform gaseous mixture, by heating the

biomass in a gaseous medium such as

air, steam and oxygen.

The product gas can be further used as

an industrial feedstock for heat and

power generation, H2 generation and

synthesis of liquid fuels. A Thermo

Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA) has been

used as an ideal gasifier in order to better

understand the gasification process. The

TGA measures the changes in weight of a

sample as a function of temperature and time, under controlled

atmosphere.

Bio-fuelsHarith K. RojanalaGraduate Student

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uildings account for 40% of the energy and 72% of the electricity used in the United States.

They account for 16% of the total U.S. water consumption, 40% of all material flows and

produce up to 40% of the waste in landfills, depending on the region. In 2007, the North

Carolina General Assembly mandated that new state buildings “shall be designed, constructed and

certified to at least a thirty percent (30%) greater energy efficiency than the standard under ASHRAE

90.1-2004” as specified in the state building code. Legislation also requires that for major renovations, a

twenty percent (20%) greater energy efficiency standard…shall be used. In addition, for new

construction, the water systems shall be designed and constructed to use a minimum of twenty

percent (20%) less potable water than the

indoor water use baseline calculated for

the building after meeting the fixture

performance requirements required by the

2006 North Carolina Plumbing Code.

Outdoor potable water or harvested

groundwater consumption shall be

reduced by a minimum of fifty percent

(50%) over that consumed by conventional

means through water use, efficient

landscape materials and irrigation

strategies, including water reuse and

recycling.” The legislation further requires

that state buildings shall be commissioned “in order to verify performance of building components

and systems and help ensure that design requirements are met upon completion of construction.” In

order to measure energy use and ensure that actual energy use is consistent with energy modeling

completed during the design of the building, “building level owner’s meters for electricity, natural gas,

fuel oil, and water shall be installed. The public agency shall compare metered data from the first 12

months of building operation with the energy design target(s) and report that performance to the State

Construction Office.”

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Sustainable Design, Operation, Construction andMaintenance

N.C. A&T State University Residence Hall

(Reprinted from UNC Tomorrow Phase II Report)

B

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Transporting students, employees and visitors to and

from campus and community destinations currently

require large amounts of land, fuel and infrastructure

all of which continue to rise in price and could be

limited in quantity. By providing more sustainable

transportation networks and access to essential

services, N.C. A&T can reduce congestion and

pollution, improve safety and public health, and

enhance the campus experience. N.C. A&T is actively

involved in efforts to increase the availability and use

of alternative fuels in state vehicles and to develop a

strategic plan for expansion of biofuels as an industry

in North Carolina. Under federal law, seventy-five

percent (75%) of all vehicles purchased by the state must be able to run on alternative fuels. In

2005, the North Carolina General Assembly mandated that the University develop and implement

plans to improve the use of alternative fuels, synthetic lubricants and efficient vehicles and

achieve a twenty percent (20%) reduction or displacement of petroleum products by January 1,

2010. Guilford County is an ozone non-attainment area and is required to reduce its fossil fuel use.

Diesel vehicles which emit NOx gas are major contributors to the generation of atmospheric

ozone. Of course every vehicles using liquid transportation fuel emits GHG. N.C. A&T is compelled

to take corrective steps to reduce its petroleum-based fuel consumption. As it is demonstrated in

the following table N.C. A&T is well on its way to lowering the petroleum use in its the

transportation section. N.C. A&T owns and operates 107 gasoline powered vehicles and 10 diesel

powered vehicles. In addition, N.C. A&T owns four flexible fuel vehicles and four electric cars. Since

2005 N.C. A&T has reduced the petroleum-based fuel use by 22.2 percent. Furthermore, N.C. A&T

has already switched 2/3 of its vehicles from petroleum engine oil to synthetic engine oil.

One of N.C. A&T's electric cars

Sustainable Transportation

(Reprinted from UNC Tomorrow Phase II Report)

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Environmental Recyclable Purchasing (Reprinted from UNC Tomorrow Phase II Report)

• Emailing Purchase Orders

• Eliminated hardcopy purchase orders and email soft copies

• Recycle and buy recycled ink and toner cartridges

• Increasing the amount of recycled paper being used by department.

• Bulk Purchases (copier paper, office envelopes, etc.) to order in bulk to reduce cost, and control

inventory

• Furniture/Window Treatment - To procure environmentally responsible and ergonomically designed

furniture and furnishings including floor coverings and window treatments. To procure

environmentally responsible and ergonomically designed furniture and furnishings including floor

coverings and window treatments.

Executive Order No. 156 (Reprinted from UNC Tomorrow Phase II Report)

Complying with Executive Order No. 156 (Directs all state agencies to develop and incorporate policies

and practices into their daily operations that preserve natural resources, conserve energy, eliminate

waste and emissions, and lessen overall environmental impact).

Sustainability Reporting Requirements (Reprinted from UNC Tomorrow Phase II Report)

• Monthly energy report of the campus utilities (consumption in dollars)

• Water consumption report for General Administration

• Annual water use report for the State Energy Office.

• Fossil fuel displacement plan report to State Plans

• Recycling and Buy-Recycled report to NC DPPEA

• Semi-annual report to the DENR Air Quality

• Section on SO2 and NOX emissions from natural gas, diesel and No 2 fuel oil sources

• Annual report to the DENR Radiation

• Protection Section Low Level

• Radiation Waste Survey

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Trayless Dining

Williams Cafeteria

...“Due to the rising concern with the effects that human activity can have on

the environment, many colleges and universities are turning toward tray-less

cafeteria dining. The idea behind this concept is that without trays to fill up

with food, students will waste less food, therefore saving the environment and

reducing food costs. Schools that have implemented tray-less dining have

reduced the cost of water, electricity, and heat, as well as drastically reduced

the amount of food wastes. For supporters of the tray-less dining movement,

they feel that the concept is a win-win solution, both environmentally and

economically. A recent survey of 25 colleges found greater than a 25%

reduction in food waste per person with trayless dining. It also conserves

energy and water for excessive dish and tray washing. It takes 1/3 to 1/2 gallon

of heated water to wash every tray. Lastly, trayless dining reduces the usage of

In Her Own Words

Arria Cheeley,

Waste Management Institute Scholar

detergents and drying agents

and their outflow into the

water table...”

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Hazmat Training Session for Waste Management Scholars at N.C. A&T by the HazmatTeam from the city of Greensboro.

Hazardous Material Training

Hazadous material training is designed to expand the knowledge of hazardous materials and regulations.

WM

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pril 12, 2012

Dr. Godfrey A. UzochukwuProfessor and Director, Interdisciplinary Waste Management Institute

Joseph FisherSenior, Chemical Engineering

Dr. Manuel Reyes Professor, Biological Engineering Program

Leon MosesManager, University Farm

Lucas Suarez Junior, Civil Engineering

Dr. G.B. ReddyProfessor, Microbiology and Wetland Ecology

Ashley Wade Senior, Civil/Architectural Engineering

Carey BaldwinDirector, Physical Plant

Quazi Rahman Graduate Student, Chemical Engineering

Dr. Abolghasem ShahbaziDirector, Biological Engineering Program

Genero Perez-de LeonGraduate Student, Civil Engineering

Angela PetersonDirector, Auxiliary Services

Jennifer McClendonSenior, Chemical Engineering

Thefollowing

individualscontributedinformation

for thispublication:

A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S

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