Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Dodd Galbreath, Associate Professor and Director of the Institute for Sustainable Practice Graduate Program at Lipscomb University, who highlights the Southeast’s first, comprenshive academic sustainability program. The program offers a Master of Science in sustainability, dual degrees in the MS, and an MBA matched to reduce the total number of required hours from 66 hours to 48 hours; a 1/2 degree certificate option in sustainability; and 7 technical certificates in renewable energy and efficiency, green building and energy, water management, urban resilience and sustainability, food systems, corporate/business ESG and sustainability, and customizable options.
During the interview, Professor Galbreath talks about the program, defining “sustainability,” how Tennessee is doing in regard to sustainability, progress being made, how the community can support their efforts, and more.
In the Fall of 2007, Professor Galbreath founded the Institute for Sustainable Practice, the Southeast’s first, comprehensive, academic sustainability program. As the director of graduate programs, his teaching primarily focuses on Earth systems and applied and advanced sustainability. Professor Galbreath has studied sustainability throughout the United States, China, and eight European countries. Four mayors of Nashville (4 D’s) and three Tennessee governors (2 R’s and 1 D) have appointed Professor Galbreath to leadership roles. He currently serves as chair of the Metro Nashville Stormwater Management Committee, on a mayoral sustainability advisory committee, and chair of the Tennessee Board of Water Quality, Oil and Gas. Before coming to Lipscomb, Professor Galbreath created one of Tennessee’s first corporate sustainability consulting practices at URS Corporation. While in state government, he led the passage of six state laws to manage surface and groundwater use, designate a state scenic river, and restore natural rivers and wetlands. He also co-chaired one of the nation’s first, state environmental justice plans. Over his 39-year career, Professor Galbreath also served in the federal government, at three university research centers, received two statewide leadership awards, and was recently awarded the Roberts Sparks Walker Lifetime Achievement Award from the governor and commissioner of the environment for Tennessee.
The Institute for Sustainable Practice has garnered two honors recently:
- 1 of only 455 colleges making the Princeton Review’s green schools national list based on a review of 710 colleges and almost 4,000 degree-granting institutions in the nation.
- Lipscomb University’s Institute for Sustainable Practice (ISP) is the recipient of the President’s Award through Tennessee Urban Forestry Council’s (TUFC’s) Awards of Excellence Program. These Awards of Excellence are selected for outstanding leadership, education efforts or activities that have made a significant contribution to establishing and maintaining viable community forests in Tennessee. Talking Points: (see attached slide show for other details)
What is sustainability?
It is a holistic, “triple bottom line” approach to solving modern environmental challenges that integrates economic, social, and environmental tools so that one does not bankrupt the other.
How is Nashville and Tennessee doing in regard to sustainability?
Better than most in the South. Less than other communities in the Northeast, Northwest, and individual communities that are converting to healthier, renewable, more efficient locally driven economies.
There are specific and notable highlights for Tennessee that are game-changers.
- Electric car production in TN leads the SE
- New and historic multi-billion dollar investment in TN electric car and battery plants
- Wampler Sausage, Vanderbilt University/the city of Nashville’s, and Metro water services’ new solar farms are models for the state.
How does Lipscomb prepare and equip these professionals?
A master of science in sustainability, dual degrees in the MS, and an MBA matched to reduce the total number of required hours from 66 hours to 48 hours; a 1/2 degree certificate option in sustainability; and 7 technical certificates in renewable energy and efficiency, green building and energy, water management, urban resilience and sustainability, food systems, corporate/business ESG and sustainability, and customizable options.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoddGalbreath
Website: https://www.lipscomb.edu/academics/programs/sustainability
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LipscombISP/wall/
