Passion for the planet inspires junior to plan mega Green Fest event
April 10, 2008

Rowan University junior Dana Bender isn't an environmental studies major, but that doesn't mean she's any less passionate about saving the planet.

"Well earth, well people," says Bender, of Dover, a health promotion/fitness management major in Rowan's College of Education. "I definitely think people are starting to be interested in being green. But the more awareness that happens, that's where the difference comes."

On Rowan's campus, Bender is spearheading efforts to raise the consciousness of environmental issues within the University community through Green Fest, a day-long event, on Wednesday, April 16, in the University's Chamberlain Student Center, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro.

Green Fest will begin with environmentally conscious activities led by a host of Rowan's student groups in the Pit of the student center (11 a.m.-2 p.m.). The day continues with an evening of discussion, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., on issues ranging from clean energy and global warming to recycling to Rowan's green initiatives.

Close to 30 organizations also will be on hand to provide information about diverse environmental issues. Organizations slated to participate include NJ Citizen Action, Defenders of Wildlife, Alternatives for Simple Living, and South Jersey Fair Trade, among others.

The evening concludes with a showing of the movie "The 11th Hour," a documentary that examines the state of the global environment. Environmental activist/author Richard Whiteford will introduce the film.

Green Fest is sponsored by the student chapter of the National Wellness Institute and Rowan's Student University Programmers. Groups which will lead activities during the day include Lucy Vox, Rowan's Recycling Team, GEO, and REBEL-U.

Additionally, Bender, who began organizing Green Fest after taking an environmental science lab course in a summer session, has almost single-handedly lined up close to 50 sponsors for the event. Sponsors include everyone from Whole Foods Market, which donated five pounds of popcorn to audience members who bring their own recyclable containers to the "11th Hour" screening, to Earthwise Bag Company, Inc., Plant a Tree USA, GreenPrint, PSEG and, of course, Rowan.

Green Fest is primarily geared toward students, though faculty and staff members, as well as outside invitees also will participate, according to Bender. Rowan President Donald Farish will welcome participants in the discussion. Farish, says Bender, was an early supporter of the project.

"When I decided to do this event, I emailed President Farish and he wrote back to me 10 minutes later, sending a letter of support. He said, ‘You have such great initiative. Let's meet tomorrow,'" says Bender, whose career goal is to become a "life coach."

"With the environment, it's hard to know how to make a difference because it's such a big issue," she continues. "But you need things like this to shake people out of their routines.

"Green Fest is about initiating action and showing students they can make a difference by getting involved with issues that interest them," she continues. "One of our goals is to provide ways students can get involved locally and nationally. The organizations are working to make their information appealing to students. We want Green Fest to get the message out about environmental issues, but in a nice, social, fun atmosphere."

Green Fest is the first event Bender, a graduate of Morris Knolls High School in Rockaway (Morris County), has ever planned. She doesn't expect it to be her last.

"Luckily for me, I was a stage manager in high school, so I'm used to organizing things," she says. "But this was a whole new level. From the beginning, I knew I wanted this to be big. This event has been completely life-changing for me. I've learned so much."

For information about Green Fest, contact Bender at dana41387@aol.com.