Nebraska Environmental Trust Awards $200,000 Grant to Independent Colleges Foundation to Support Development of Sustainability Learning Lab at Bellevue University

The Council of Independent Nebraska Colleges Foundation (CINCF)
announced today that it has received a $200,000 grant from The Nebraska
Environmental Trust (NET) to help establish a sustainability learning
lab at Bellevue University. The grant funding from NET will be matched
by Bellevue University and its partners and donors over the next three
years.

According to Dr. Dennis Joslin, Executive Director of CINCF, “The
Sustainability Learning Lab has tremendous potential to benefit the
State of Nebraska by raising awareness and educating future generations
of students and citizens about how to conserve, enhance and restore
natural environments.” Dr. Joslin added that the grant and lab project
aligns well with CINCF’s mission to provide support for students
attending Nebraska’s private colleges and universities.

Bellevue University President Dr. Mary Hawkins said the grant serves as
a prime example of a partnership resulting in a unique educational
resource. “We are grateful for The Nebraska Environmental Trust’s
support of this project and for the CINC Foundation’s advocacy on behalf
of the state’s independent higher educational institutions,” she said.
“We are confident that real world, applied learning that will take place
in the lab will help preserve Nebraska’s valuable natural resources and
strengthen the state’s workforce.”

Dr. Hawkins explained that the sustainability lab is part of a broader
multi-million dollar innovation investment made by Bellevue University
and the University’s donors into STEM education facilities, programs and
student support resources. The sustainability learning lab is partially
funded through a grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust. The Trust
is funded by proceeds from the Nebraska Lottery and has awarded more
than $305 million to conservation projects in Nebraska since 1994.

Plans under development for the new lab on the University’s campus in
Bellevue, Nebraska. Include a 7,000-square foot outdoor-indoor facility
supporting a greenhouse, solar and wind generation stations, a biofuel
algae pond and an outdoor classroom. Specifically, the lab will support
and facilitate science and environmental sustainability education,
research, public awareness and green workforce development. The lab will
support Bellevue University courses and degrees, and when completed is
expected to engage and educate more than 2,500 students, educators,
researchers and campus visitors a year. A project groundbreaking is
planned for the fall of 2019.

Dr. Joslin said the NET grant for the Bellevue University sustainability
lab is a first-year award and that CINCF will seek second-year funding
from NET, as well. The Bellevue University lab project is just one of
117 projects receiving NET funding this year.

About Bellevue University
Founded in 1966, Bellevue
University is a non-profit university with more than 50,000
graduates worldwide. The University is a recognized national leader in
preparing students for lifelong success with career-relevant knowledge
and skills, while making college affordable. Routinely ranked among the
nation’s top military-friendly and accessible institutions, the
University serves residential students at its main campus in Bellevue,
Nebraska, and everywhere online with more than 80 undergraduate and
graduate programs uniquely designed for working adults. The University
is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org),
a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of
Education.

About CINC Foundation
The
Council of Independent Nebraska Colleges Foundation (CINCF)
is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that is dedicated to making
excellent higher education opportunities accessible to students from
diverse backgrounds and communities who attend Nebraska’s independent
higher education institutions of excellence. CINCF supports the missions
of its 13 member institutions and promotes the high quality and
affordability of member colleges to prospective students and their
families. CINCF members include: Bellevue University, Bryan College of
Health Sciences, Clarkson College, College of Saint Mary, Concordia
University, Creighton University, Doane University, Hastings College,
Midland University, Nebraska Methodist College, Nebraska Wesleyan
University, Union College and York College.

About The Nebraska Environmental Trust
The Nebraska
Legislature created The
Nebraska Environmental Trust in 1992. Using revenue from the
Nebraska Lottery, the Trust has provided over $305 million in grants to
over 2,200 projects across the state. Anyone—citizens, organizations,
communities, farmers and businesses—can apply for funding to protect
habitat, improve water quality and establish recycling programs in
Nebraska. The Nebraska Environmental Trust works to preserve, protect
and restore natural resources for future generations.

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