This recognition aligns with Catawba’s mission to invest in the success of its students, community, and the region. As a leading institution in sustainability, Catawba is dedicated to providing a nurturing environment where students thrive while being equipped with the skills and knowledge to make a difference.
Catawba was the first college in the Southeast to be certified carbon neutral seven years ahead of their 2030 goal and the first campus in the US to add Haven solar shelters to their campus. They achieved a Level 4 in the Positive Impact Rating Edition 2024. They were recently designated as a Tree Campus Higher Education by the Arbor Day Foundation and became an affiliate of the Bee Campus USA program. Catawba added an electric vehicle (EV) charging station for visitors last fall and is in the process of adding additional charging stations. The college has completed work on a new geothermal system providing efficient and clean heating and cooling for the Corriher-Linn-Black Library.
The Princeton Review has published its Guide to Green Colleges annually since 2010. They chose the 511 colleges for this edition based on the 2023-24 survey of administrators at nearly 600 colleges. The surveys focused on their institution's sustainability-related policies, practices, and programs. The company also surveyed college students about their "green" campus experiences. The school selections were based on more than 25 survey data points.
