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Leanne Farrell shares the same struggles that many other college students have. Maintaining her grades, and supporting herself financially, are only the start of the responsibilities on her plate.
As the Co chair of the Sustainability Committee and President and founder of the campus club called, Students for Renewable Energy and Environmental Protection (SREEP), Farrell is literally working to ‘save the world.’
Farrell, who is a junior at Roger Williams University, started SREEP her freshman year, and has had the opportunity to work with President Nirchel, along with other members of the Sustainability committee, to make the campus greener. As a result of her strong efforts, President Nirchel finally signed the Presidents Climate Commitment, which requires all new buildings to pass environmental standards of LEED certification. In other words, it ensures a greener campus and environmentally friendly community.
Farrell was also awarded a fellowship by the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), one of the biggest non profit environmental organizations in the country. Only seven students were selected and awarded with two thousand dollars to create an environmental project, focusing on sustainability and renewable energy, on campus. Farrell is currently working to create a native Rhode Island flower garden which will incorporate the use of solar power panels to power a fountain.
On her free time, Farrell enjoys fishing with her boyfriend and relaxing with friends. “It doesn’t matter what you believe in or what cause is important to you,” says Farrell, “what is important is that you’re a student activist and working towards something.”
As a child, Farrell found peace in nature. She says, “For something that gave me such a good childhood [nature], I decided I was going to spend the rest of my life fighting for it.” Although it is still just the beginning of her life, it looks as if Farrell is keeping her promise.