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McLendon: Trying to Move Beyond Square One
Story by Bria Smith
MHC’s vice president of administration Bob McLendon occupies a quaint office on the third floor of Blackwell Hall that understates the job he has in front of him. Many have heard the call to help in the greening of the campus, but not so many have gone above and beyond. McLendon is trying to take sustainability seriously.
McLendon coordinates many projects in helping the growth of the institution. He is responsible for facilities, as well as the greening of the campus. His job also entails admissions, financial aid, and other miscellaneous administrative areas.
McLendon, who is marking his fifth year at MHC, is taking environmental issues seriously in recent days. Although he coordinates many projects to help the growth of the institution, one of his new duties is to promote efforts to “green” the campus – find ways to use less energy, use environmentally sensitive technologies and products that are better for the planet. McLendon is also responsible for facilities, admissions, financial aid and other miscellaneous administrative duties.
McLendon, an Atlanta native who comes from a prestigious educational background, and other administrators have been actively working on a sustainability project that would allow the college to use alternate forms of energy while preserving the environment. This effort extends to the campus and other members of the community.
“We began to get serious about this issue in the last three years,” he said from his quaint office on the third floor of Blackwell Hall. “A big step for us as we plan new buildings on campus was to think about how long we could sustain these buildings, and what type of long-term energy effeciency these new buildings would have."
Practicality is a big factor in sustainability. It’s all about what is energy efficient and environmental friendly. It includes better recycling on campus, as well as using alternate forms of energy.
“We are looking at alternate forms of campus vehicles that we use when we purchase our next one. We are looking at the lighting on campus more and more and making sure that those are the most energy efficient light bulbs that are being used,” McLendon said.
He said the administration is trying to create an atmosphere where students and other faculty and staff willingly want to get involved with this project.
The role of the administrators concerned about sustainability is to set a tone or a good example, he said.
“If we do that, I think that this is where the marketing might come in -- that other students who are considering where they are going to college will like that about Mars Hill. They will more than likely be students attracted here who already have a desire to learn more about how we can protect the environment and be part of a college community that is trying to live the example and that is trying to sustain us,” McLendon said.
Students not only benefit from sustainable environments, but many generations will benefit from the outcomes, he said.
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