The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) installed three solar-powered charging stations to support sustainability on campus.
The solar units attach to picnic tables and will accommodate four outlets each. These units will allow students and employees to charge devices while they are outdoors having lunch, studying or taking a break.
In addition to providing convenience to users, the charging stations are part of a plan to promote sustainability on campus. David Barger, D.O., a WVSOM Class of 1983 alumnus, and his wife Bonita Barger, Ph.D., provided the initial funding to develop sustainable practices.
The Barger Campus Preservation and Green Initiative Endowment has dual purposes of providing scholarships for WVSOM medical students and providing a financial means for promoting sustainability at WVSOM.
The Bargers offered this support as a way to combine their passion for sustainability and love for WVSOM.
“We believe in the future of WVSOM and the viability of a green-friendly and sustainable campus environment,” David Barger said. “In order to launch this initiative, leadership, commitment and program implementation are fundamental. Solar-powered charging stations for students, an electric car charging station, dog waste containers, a recycling program and an employee-student education campaign are the first steps to bring this vision to life.”
While it will take time to implement the projects, Dr. James W. Nemitz, Ph.D., WVSOM’s president, said he appreciates the Bargers’ contributions to help WVSOM focus on green initiatives.
“We are extremely grateful for the Bargers’ generosity and the opportunities it brings to our campus,” Nemitz said. “WVSOM has always been mindful of environmental concerns, but this gift has helped move our initiatives forward. We also appreciate their support for our students through scholarship funding.”
A sustainability consultant will conduct assessments of existing campus initiatives to determine current levels of campus preservation. Additional steps included the formation of a green initiative committee to assist with creating a three to five-year sustainability plan for WVSOM.
The agreement with the Bargers is operated through a partnership with the WVSOM Foundation.