By Neil Nachbar

Students from a wide range of majors came together to discuss, plan and present solutions to sustainability-related issues affecting the University of Rhode Island’s campuses at the second annual URI Sustainability Summit.

Held April 13-14 in the Galanti Lounge of the Robert L. Carothers Library, students listened to industry experts prior to competing in teams in a pitch contest for first place prize of $300.

Jim Devol, project manager of URI’s new College of Engineering building, was the keynote speaker. Devol, a URI alumnus, explained the many sustainable factors of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications and how they influenced the design of the new engineering building.

The winning team was comprised of juniors Meg Bradbury, Megan St. Hilaire and Stephan Zaets. St. Hilaire, an East Providence resident, is studying industrial and systems engineering. Zaets, a civil engineering student, is from Wallingford, Conn. Bradley is a mechanical engineering major from Hopkinton, Mass.

The idea that they pitched to the judges was the formation of a shuttle service between the beaches in Narragansett and URI’s Kingston campus, which would save students the expense and inconvenience of having to park at the beach or on campus.

“Our experience at the summit exceeded expectations,” said Bradbury. “Being surrounded by such accomplished, passionate individuals was inspiring and gave us hope for the future.”

The three URI students who organized the summit were Gabriella Aiello, Aiden Keene and Caroline Hammett.

Aiello is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering and is minoring in sustainability and engineering entrepreneurship; Keene, is studying biomedical engineering and leadership studies; and Hammett, is a chemical engineering undergraduate who is also minoring in sustainable food and agriculture systems.