Tuesday was a Taylor homecoming when alumnus Stephen Johnson, for-mer administrator of the U.S. Envi-ronmental Protection Agency (EPA), came to Upland to speak about sus-tainability.

A 1973 Taylor graduate who majored in biology, Johnson worked for the EPA for almost 28 years. He defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” and outlined four components that impact our world to-day: environment, energy, economics and security.

Johnson said the U.S. creates 195 million tons of garbage per year, with

an individual accumulating about 4.6 pounds per day. Then came the con-victing question – “How many of you would like to have the next garbage site for Indiana built next to your home?”

A typical U.S. household spends $2,000 annually on energy, and the U.S. consumes 430 million gallons of gasoline per day.

“We cannot maintain this pace,” Johnson said. “It is not sustainable.”

Johnson also lectured on ways stu-dents could improve their environ-ment. EnergyStar, a government pro-gram, identifies the top 20 percent of the most energy efficient appliances and consumer products. These prod-ucts cost lesser, benefit the environ-ment and help save money.

Other options include purchasing compact fluorescent light bulbs, which save three to five times the amount of energy. “Just by changing a light bulb, we actually save enough power to actu-ally power cities,” Johnson said.

The second half of the lecture in-volved seven panel members from Taylor’s campus, who talked about how Christians are biblically directed to be stewards of creation.

Junior Kristen Linner appreciated

hearing the panel’s view on why some Christians disagree on the importance of environmental issues.

“Just because it’s associated with something extreme doesn’t mean it’s not an important issue in God’s eyes,” Linner said. “I just thought they had great insights.”

Michael Guebert, professor of earth and environmental sciences and panel member, stressed the importance for the entire Taylor community to par-ticipate in sustainability.

Guebert emphasized the need “to make lifestyles compatible with the concepts of sustainability for two rea-sons ... to make an impact on our per-sonal and corporate lives, and simply as obedience to God’s command to be good stewards of all his creation.”

“Dr. Stephen Johnson told us exactly what we needed to hear,” said Don Takehara, director of the Center for Research & Innovation. “The U.S. can-not sustain its current rate of energy and natural resource consumption and that each of us can and should play a part in reversing this trend. I look for-ward to working with students, faculty and staff to meet this challenge.”

The Memorial Prayer Chapel has been awarded the 2009 “Excellence in Construction Award” from the Indiana chapter of the Building Contractors Association.

The building’s contractors, Michael Kinder & Sons, and architect, Tim Bai-ley of Design Collaborative, submitted the prayer chapel as a new construction in the “under $4 million” category.

Contractor Doug Kinder said the chapel’s spiritual and symbolic signifi-cance made it stand out in the compe-tition.

“When we submitted that, I said I didn’t know how we could lose,” Kinder said. “It’s more than just a building.”

“Sometimes in life, quality is self-proclaimed — ‘We do things well’ — but it’s nice to have some external af-firmation,” said Ron Sutherland, vice president for business and finance.

The recognition is more meaningful, Sutherland said, because of the signifi-cant donations and service volunteered by the community.

“It’s one thing to be paid a lot and to build the best,” Sutherland said. “It’s another thing to donate your services or materials and end up with the same recognition.”

“Everybody knew what it was,”

Kinder said, remembering the process of planning the building. “It was amaz-ing how the contractors and suppliers stepped up and donated. We’re talk-ing hundreds of thousands of dollars. I thought that was very cool.”

Donors and volunteers were recog-

nized at the prayer chapel’s dedication ceremony, a ceremony that Kinder remembers as uniquely moving. The award is one more way of recognizing the efforts of the community, as well as celebrating the chapel and what it stands for.

April 3, 2009 Page 2

The Echo aims to represent the views of diverse voices on Taylor University’s

campus fairly and without bias and to be a vehicle of accurate and pertinent infor-

mation to the student body, faculty and staff. The Echo also aims to be a forum

that fosters healthy discussion about relevant issues, acting as a catalyst for

change on our campus.

Student journalists have published The Echo weekly since 1915, except for

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Please address all letters, questions or comments to:

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echo@taylor.edu© Taylor University 2009

Andrew NeelCo-Editor in ChiefRandy KizerCo-Editor in ChiefBenita LeeNews EditorHannah BeersNews EditorRachel SawyerLife & Times EditorBlake BachmanLife & Times EditorStephen GrovesWorld Editor

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we read the e-mails you delete.

By Hannah BeersCo-News Editor

Alum speaks on sustainabilityDiscussion covers energy consumption and environmental degradation

By Stephanie LeisStaff Writer

friday saturday tuesdayChapel 10 a.m.Dr. Mark NollVisiting Christian Scholars Program

Matthew HurstSenior voice recitalRecital Hall7:30 p.m.

7 Senior Art ShowsMetcalf, Rupp, Zondervan7- 10 p.m.

Taekwondo IntroAerobics Room, $2 fee3:30 - 5 p.m.

Sounds & Chorale:Spring concertRediger AuditoriumFree admission7:30 p.m.

John, His StoryUpland Community ChurchFree admission6 p.m.

VespersDr. Jim Spiegel“My Last Sermon” series8 p.m.

Chapel 10 a.m.Easter chapel

Grad School VisitD.C. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Wind EnsembleFree admissionRediger Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

Social JusticeDr. Richard Smith MMVA 002, 9:15 p.m.

EASTER BREAK after last class

monday Chapel 10 a.m.Richard A. Seaman lectureMr. James McCabe

TaekwondoAerobics room, $2 fee7 - 8 p.m.

10 Best Rock SongsU’ve Never Heard By Artists U Have HeardDr. Jim SpiegelMMVA 002, 8:15 p.m.

Master Classwith pianist Grace FongRecital Hall, 10 a.m.

Piano RecitalPianist Grace Fongfeaturing Dr. Shederick Whipple, tenorRecital Hall, 7:30 p.m.

IFC ConcertTallest Man in the WorldStudent Union 8:15 p.m.

sunday wednesday thursday

CACREP Accreditation The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body, recognized by the Council for Higher Education (CHEA), has granted accreditation for the M.A. in Counseling Degree in Mental Health Counseling at Grace College.

M.A. in Counseling M.A. in Interpersonal Relations Scripturally based Focused on each student’s personal &

spiritual growth

"I chose to pursue my masters at Grace because of the Prayer in Counseling class.

I was very impressed with a school that put special emphasis on prayer. I have

learned much about counseling, but I feel that I have learned much about myself.

Even more important, by example, my teachers have shown how well Jesus has

enabled them to love others. I thank God for directing me to this program.”

Becky Stetson, Student Graduate Department of Counseling and Interpersonal Relations

Web site: www. grace.eduE-mail: macslg@grace.eduTelephone: 866.974.7223

200 Seminary Drive, Winona Lake, Indiana 46590

Prayer Chapel wins award

Junior Amanda Wingers, a stu-dio art major featured as an artist on ReadeAvenue.com, mentioned the “huge advantage” of getting to know others in various departments and making connections that last even af-ter graduation. Wingers also appreci-ates the unique opportunity the art gallery presents.

“To have a Web site that is marketed to an audience that is already contact-

ed, already has a connection to Taylor, that is huge, just to already have that foundation set,” she said.

Members of SIFE will be presenting the Web site concept and final product, along with six other projects they have worked on in the past year, at a com-petition in Chicago this Thursday. The art gallery site will be a keynote part of the presentation.

Students are encouraged to visit the new Web site and support fellow Tay-lor students by spreading the word on

this new venture. Students are also invited to get involved in SIFE, which is expanding to provide opportunities and projects for almost all majors and provides a great opportunity for in-volvement and networking.

“What we’re hoping to do is bring in people from all different majors, be-cause with this project you have art, computer science, new media, busi-ness,” Salmon said. “SIFE is for every-one.”

SIFE, from page 1

Ben Harrison

Alumnus Stephen Johnson, former administrator of the EPA, speaks Mon-day afternoon on sustainability.

Katy Andres