Student Sustainability Summit

By: Anthony Nassar

Photo taken of mural painted by Liam Ginter on the first floor of the Carlson library - Anthony Nassar for the Collegian

TOLEDO, Ohio — Greening UToledo Through Service Learning (GUTS) held a Student Sustainability Summit, showcasing two students’ creative projects and other sustainability-themed posters, last Thursday at the Carlson Library. The event aimed to highlight how students from any field can get involved with on-campus initiatives.

GUTS has helped the University of Toledo become a more biodiverse environment, with student volunteers involved in the process. 

Carlson Library Director of Operations Dave Remarklus said that over 600,000 people have walked past gardens created by GUTS.

Student Caleb Thompson took the stage to screen his short film about the organization, “It Takes GUTS,” highlighting GUTS' impact on campus thus far.

The film featured interviews with multiple members of the organization, along with b-roll footage showing the work behind the projects.

“Films bring people together and transcend time,” Thompson said. “Like the gardens, you may plant a seed as a senior and never see it grow, but you know that the impact continues to persist.”

Thompson said he was motivated to create the film as he believed the organization was underrated and wanted to show the importance of GUTS to the community.

Former student Liam Ginter showcased his Native Plant mural designed for the library. The mural features a lush landscape with various native plants. The mural’s makeup is acrylic paint, and Ginter aims to maintain the illusion of 3D within a 2D wall while also keeping an emotional space that allows for depth and creativity.

“The thing I want people to walk away with is a feeling,” Ginter said. “I think that people are disconnected from the world, so I think feeling something from this is important.”

Ginter said he encourages students to join the GUTS program and expresses his gratitude to the Carlson Library for allowing art like this to be created.

Project Manager Todd Crail said there are many different facets to solving our current environmental crisis. He hopes to leverage the momentum of these gardens to show that multiple departments can get involved and participate. Crail encourages students and faculty to get started immediately and begin making an impact.

“GUTS showcases the hidden work of campus, which has been great exposure for the students,” Crail said. “The guy who cuts the grass and the person who answers the phone are the two most important people in any organization.”