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Kupstas Honored for Environmental Work
by Sally Carswell
Matt Kupstas with G. McLeod Bryan
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Mars Hill College Senior Matt Kupstas, founder of Green Students United, has been awarded the annual G. McLeod Bryan Caring Award for his volunteer work in helping raise environmental awareness on campus. The award was presented to Matt on April 1 at Crossroads.
Matt, a sociology major and environmental studies minor, compiled The Green Student Guide, which gives students simple, practical tips now how to live a more environmentally friendly life. The guide has been printed as a brochure and is also published in this week's edition of The Hilltop.
Matt felt called last spring to start Green Students United. He and other members of the student group have set up recycling programs in Fox dorm and the Dickson-Palmer Apartments. They hope to expand the program to other dorms. They have spent weekends pulling trash out of a local river, have showed environmental documentaries, and have planned the first "Green Week" on campus for the week of April 21-25.
Green Students United has also set up "Free Stores" in Fox Dorm and in the Dickson-Palmer Apartments. The "Free Store" allows students to donate items they would normally throw away at the end of the year. Other students can then "shop" for items they might want.
Nearby Warren Wilson College has a free store that is run year- round by students; in the future Matt would like Mars Hill to follow in Warren Wilson's footsteps. His hope is that Resident Assistants will continue to manage free stores in the future. "It eliminates waste, promotes simplicity, and helps save students money," he says.
At Crossroads, Matt said he was "overwhelmed, and filled with an abundance of ideas and passion that were overshadowed by fear of failure." He had never started a club before, but through much encouragement and hard work, Green Students United has become an active part of Mars Hill College. Matt reminded the audience that "environmental problems are not just polar bears' problems, or Al Gore's problems, they are our problems. They are my problem, and they are your problem."
Matt spoke at SLAM this year and passed around a petition to let the College administration know that students want to make Mars Hill more environmentally friendly.
Mark Norwood, grounds supervisor, is very proud of Matt's achievements. He believes that Matt has been called to make others aware of environmental issues and that he is "doing what his heart tells him." Norwood says that "it's such a hard thing to change people's views," but Matt is doing an amazing job educating his peers and the Mars Hill College administration. When asked if he believed that one student could make a difference, Norwood responded, "I know one student can make a difference. Just look at what Matt has done."
The G. McLeod Bryan Caring Award is given each year in honor of G. McLeod Bryan, MHC class of '39. Bryan has spent his life working to change the harmful effects of racism and to work for peace, justice, and the dream of equality and liberty for all. He owns land in North Carolina where he does small-scale farming. His is one of the few farms in the area left.
In his keynote address Matt stated "Dr. Bryan understands that social justice doesn't mean serving one cause while ignoring another." While Matt's main area of concern is environmentalism, he, like Dr. Bryan, knows that "the ethical values related to environmentalism cannot be separated from the ethical values related to any other social problem."
Matt said in his acceptance speech that "it feels good to win this award, but part of me feels that I don't deserve it. I am bad with deadlines. I have trouble focusing for long periods of time. I start many projects, and do not complete them. I believe God gave me a big heart, and a strong conscience, but little tools to work with. I am nothing exceptional, but I feel a deep commitment to social justice."
Green Students United is not an officially recognized organization on campus. SGA will be voting to give it official accreditation in the near future. In the meantime, students who would like to get involved can join the Green Students United group on Facebook. Matt encourages anyone to check out Green Students United. "Our group is mostly upperclassmen, so we need a fresh group of people to keep it alive next year."
Recognition for Community Service
G. McLeod Bryan Caring Awards:
Student: Matt Kupstas, senior
Faculty/Staff: Sam and Janet Bingham, Journalists-in-Residence
Michael Emory Award ($500):
Kacie Cardwell, who volunteered over 300 hours with A-HOPE, a Asheville homeless shelter.
I. Ruth Martin Award:
Carol McDonald, The Thrift Shop in Madison County.
Humanities Alumna Award:
Laura Collins (MHC 1998), helped design and create the first women's study program
at Mars Hill College and is now with Pisgah Legal Services.
Hester Center Awards: (cash awards of $500 to $1,000)
Thulie Mangena: Summer Trip to Zimbabwe
Todd Allen - East St. Louis Spring Break Trip
Heather Wright - East St. Louis Spring Break Trip
Joo En Kim - Spring Break Trip to Liberia (she did not go due to health reasons)
Kacie Cardwell - Summer Trip to New York City to work with homeless ministry
Bonner Community Fund Grants:
A-Hope Day Center, a homeless shelter in Asheville
Behavior Analysis Center of Asheville
Landrum Rescue Squad
Madison 4H Clogging Program
North Carolina Governor's Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service:
Evert Colby: Has worked with the Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre (SART) to bring drama education to underserved children in the area. Has also helped raise funds for Habitat for Humanity and the Rotary Club and volunteers for the Thoms Rehabilitation Center.
Cheryl Gibson, a nurse who volunteers her time setting up blood drives in Madison and Buncombe counties. President of the board at My Sisters Place. Runs a hands-on mission program for children at a local church.
Brandy Howell, MHC 2007, former Delta Zeta and former Bailey Mountain Clogger: Volunteers as clogging instructor for Madison County 4H Club.
Juanita Stump: Volunteers with Neighbors in Need, Meals on Wheels, Elderberry Nursing Home, and Chapel Hill Baptist Church. Has also led a Bible study for over 20 years.
Greg Yost, ACCESS student at Mars Hill College: Has served as president and vice president of the Madison County Habitat for Humanity Board. Has volunteered with Laurel Watch, Madison County 4H Club, and Christian Stewardship Leadership.
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