In the Fall of 1994, President McCardell named environmental studies and awareness as a Peak of Excellence at Middlebury College. The Environmental Peak, along with five other peaks, defines a vision for the future of the College.
These Peaks are like the Green Mountains of Vermont: our vertebrae, the source of our strength and the definer of our character, and the reason why many people choose to come to Middlebury.
-- President John M. McCardell Jr.
In advancing the Environmental Peak, the College:
- Established an ad hoc Committee on the Environment in 1995 that prepared a report and recommendations to the administration suggesting ways to continue improving the ES Program and the College's environmental performance. Some of the recommendations came from the Pathways to a Green Campus at Middlebury College Report and Recommendations prepared by the Environmental Council in 1995 chaired by Steven Rockefeller.
- Established an Office of Environmental Affairs in 1997, and hired Nan Jenks-Jay as its Director.
- Received recognition in its ten-year reaccreditation in 1999-2000 with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) for its multiple environmental strengths in both academics and operations.
- Undertook a self-assessment of its Environmental Studies program in 2000, followed by a review by an External Review Committee consisting of faculty from Dartmouth, Colby and Harvard whose report, while making several sound recommendations, recognized Middlebury's ES Program as one of the most outstanding undergraduate environmental programs in the country.
- Established a multi-disciplinary Environmental Peak Task Force in 2000 to set goals for the Environmental Peak for the next five years that included the following recommendations:
- Sustainable renovation of a facility as a new Center for the Environment
- Creation of an environmental field station and rustic retreat
- Construction of a new College Recycling Facility
- Consideration of a sustainable living and learning center as an environmental academic interest house
- Building a sense of community in the Environmental Peak
- Supporting affiliated faculty
- Mentoring junior faculty and developing future leadership
- Increasing diversity in the Environment
- Building an Alumni network
- Bridging the Peaks of Excellence
- Increasing the Role of Environmental Affairs in integration, vision and leadership
- Continuing the development of Environmental Studies excellence in its 3rd decade
- Creation of the 21st Century Sustainable Campus
- Created an action chart of more than 140 action items to undertake in advancing the Environmental Peak between 2001 – 2005.
- Continues to host annual Environmental Peak Retreats to review goals and accomplishments and build community within the Environmental Peak.