Current OUSSC Members
Michael Goldman, Education Coordinator
From: Cleveland
I'm a Geography-Environmental Studies major, and I am minoring in East Asian Studies and Chinese language. Some of my favorite things to do are hiking, stargazing, eating dumplings and stepping on leaves. I love going on adventures.
"I speak for the Trees"-Lorax
Nick Van Horn, President
From: Seven Hills, OH
I'm a chemical engineering major on the energy and environment track hoping to work for alternate energy sources. I joined the SSC to have fun with a great group of people that have a common enjoyment of being outdoors and supporting the environment.
Nicole M. Smith
From: New Albany, OH
I'm an Environmental and Plant Biology major and with a Spanish minor and an ES certificate. I'm in the Sierra Club because I believe it is our responsibility to take care of the Earth so it can continue to give back to us. I also believe that people will realize the importance of establishing environmentally-sound practices if they are taught about the consequences of our current ways.
In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught. -Baba Dioum
OUSSC Alumni
Annie Derek, Secretary
From: Murrysville, PA
I'm an Environmental and Plant Biology major and I joined the SSC because I love trees, plants, nature, and the Earth in general. Let's face it, we only have one, so we can't screw it up! The SSC is a really great way to get involved and make some positive changes in the world - starting here in the beautiful city of Athens.
Be Kind to the Earth. Be good to yourself. Be Grateful.
Becky Clark, Vice President
From: Athens, OH/ Glenville WV
I'm a senior studying geography/ environmental studies. I believe conserving our earth is the number one thing we as young people should be striving to do. I am Vice President SSC this year so I can share my love of our environment with my peers, and encourage others to take action against global warming and all other environmental issues we are facing. I work at Casa, live in the SSC house, and love life and the SSC!!!
Carolyn Vieland, Technology Coordinator
From: Athens, Ohio
I am an Outdoor Education major also pursuing an Environmental Studies certificate. As South East Ohio native (Shade) I know and love Athens and the surrounding area!! I have lived and visited other beautiful and amazing places and I still think Athens and the Appalachians are special. Sadly I know that mixed with breathtaking beauty and abundant life, this region is seriously abused, neglected and over used. I strive to do my part to protect the land I call home in the hopes that recovery and preservation can be the future of the Appalachians for generations to come. This is why I have joined the SSC, in hopes that I can find support and resources to make an impact!
Cory Gagliardi, Technology Coordinator
From: Portland, OR
I helped start the new OU SSC to inform people about Mountaintop Removal with Mountainfest with Becky. I now live in Portland, Oregon.
Josh Malfroid, Education Coordinator
From: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Major: Creative Writing. I guess you could say the key reason as to why I joined the Sierra Student Coalition is that I finally wanted to bring an actualization to the hopes and desire I have to preserve the world in which we live. It is my life long goal to help instill immediate, radical and permanent change that will invoke the world culture into adopting a practice of global decency.
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow,
Learn as if you were to live forever." -Ghandi
Kirin Kanakkanatt, Vice President
From: Akron, Ohio
Hi friends, my name is kirin. Most call me kanak. I am a junior majoring in environmental prelaw. I love people, the earth, karma, faith, selfless good deeds and laughing until I can't breath.
my favorite quotes are:
I can be changed by what happens to me, but I REFUSE to be reduced by it [Maya Angelou]
Love all, trust few, do wrong to no one [shakespear]
Maria Farinacci, Outside the Bottle Campain Mangager
From: North Canton, OH
I am a marine biology major with an environmental studies certificate. I joined SSC because i want to save the world, starting with OU. I am passionate about conserving our environment so I am trying to learn more and meet people who care about similar issues. SSC has helped me see some of my passion become action. There are so many ways we can help this very campus become a more environmentally friendly one, and I believe this club can make a difference. *save the polar bears*
Sarah Ward, Education Coordinator
From: Ashland,Ky
My major is Applied Ecology, in the Environmental and Plant Biology Department. I came to OU for the opportunities and culture it had to offer. The SSC has allowed me to express myself actively with people of similar feelings. It also feels good to know your doing beneficial things for the environment on a organized level. The things we do can't be done by one person; shared thought is what makes us strong.
Taylor Bowling, Social Director
From: Akron Ohio
Hola, I'm Taylor and I am currently a freshman here at OU. I am a plant bio major as of right now, but that will probably be changing soon. Not quite sure to what yet, but I feel i have a lot of time to think about it! I love nature, music, taking pictures and just having a good time. I joined SSC because i really enjoy helping preserve our beautiful environment, plus i knew i was going to meet all these cool people! One of my favorite quotes i guess would have to be, "Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you're riding thru the ruts, don't complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don't bury your thoughts. Put your vision to reality."
Andrea Perkins
From: Westlake, Ohio
Hello everyone. I am a freshman at OU, and I am planning on getting into the nursing program at OU when it starts next year. I am a vegetarian, going on 5 years now. I love taking pictures, hiking, making jewelry, drinking coffee, listening to the noises of nature, and having really good conversations with people about the meaning of life. I look forward to traveling the world once I graduate, and possibly joining the Peace Corps.
Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in a midst of those things, and still be calm in your heart.
Becky Webster
From: Willowick, (eastside of Cleveland), Ohio
I am a senior with a double major in recreation. My first is Therapeutic Recreation and then I discovered Adventure Recreation, so decided to pursue them both. When I was a freshmen I did a project on MTR, and became very passionate about it. When I'm not at school, I work for Highbrook Lodge which is a residential camp for individuals with a visual impairment. My first summer season working there I was assigned to be the Nature Program Counselor when I was hired for a lifeguard position and been there ever since.
*****" We must be the change we wish to see in the world"- Gandhi
Dillon Green
From: Grove City, Ohio
I'm a fifth year senior, double-majoring in History and Education. Through the past we can see the destructive path we are on; I believe only through education and being living examples can we create the environment of change for the mutual good of both humans and nature. I love Athens and being a part of such an diverse and wonderful local community. I love interacting and getting in touch with the world around me (which is in part why I hate those restrictive foot prisons you people call shoes). I hope after graduating to see the world and never stop learning and experencing new things.
"Talk without action equals silence." - Ulrike Meinhof
Elisa Safran
From: Athens, OH
Junior, Marketing major...
I think Athens is an incredibly distinctive town with charisma that's unusual in most other places. The people, and university, that populate this area have created an atmosphere concerned with the environment, sustainability, and the well-being of others. Growing up here has taught me that we must not just care about ourselves; we must act in a way that values and supports the rest of the world. Getting involved and taking action is a way to give back and show you care - that's what Sierra Club is about.
Emily Rood
From: Athens, OH
Hey there, I'm Emily. I just graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelors in Fine Art, Interior Architecture, and Marketing. I'm staying in Athens this fall to work with SSC on Power Vote; a movement of over one million young people who want a clean energy future and climate justice. It's pretty wicked. As are trees. And sunny days. And the beach.. AND Radiohead.
Eric Osborne
From: Cincinnati, OH
I'm majoring in Anthropology with a minor in music, with the goal of studying folk musics around the world.
In addition to SSC, I'm the Rainforest Action Network (RAN) coordinator in Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) (Yay acronyms!). I live to fight the man and make change. I believe that our generation is on the vanguard of a radical shift in human history, and now is the time to promote ecological wisdom and harmony with the natural world. Which leads me to my favorite quote....
"There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come"
-Victor Hugo
Erin Dame
From: All over!
Starting fall 2008, I will be a graduate student in the school of Communication Studies. After earning my doctorate, I plan on becoming a college professor. Specifically, I would like to focus on and teach the elements and dynamics of social change. I am very interested in the environment (obviously), but my other main interest is drug policy reform. Although my first OU SSC meeting was rocky, I realized this group had potential and great energy. Since then, I have had many adventures with the people I have met within the group, and my environmental awareness and concern has increased with each adventure. I look forward to the future of this group, as I believe we have the power to make a difference in our region, and even our country. There's nothing I love more than grassroots activism in action, and putting words into action with your friends makes it that much better.
Favorite quote - When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. - James Marshall Hendrix
Kara Arvidson
From: Wrentham, Massachusetts
My name is Karaaaa and I'm from Wrentham, Mass. I am an environmental geology student and I love it! I joined the Sierra Club because I acknowledge that there are numerous environmental issues facing the world today and I want to make a difference. The Earth is our home and it is our job to take care of it. "The future's here, we are it, we are on our own, reduce, reuse, recycle"
Kenzie Peoples
From: Westerville, OH
I am currently attending Ohio University and studying Wildlife & Conservation Biology. I enjoy nature and couldn't imagine my life without it. I like dancing, exploring, and meeting new people. I joined the Sierra Student Coalition to learn how I can help our beautiful planet and its inhabitants. I hope to one day take the information i gather further and create change in the world. Think globally, act locally.
Megan Shalala
From: Cleveland, OH
I'm currently majoring in Psychology, which I feel is apt to change. It is not people that we need to fix, it is the way in which people think and act that need some stimulation. I feel that in order to help any being, we must not look first at the multitudes of microcosms that we have created; we must probe the original source that enabled their origination and subsistence. In an era where luxuries are "needs," I feel that it is imperative to question the ownership rights of humans seeing that the Earth is the only source of such novelties. As a member of SSC I hope to learn as much as I can about the world that we inhabit and to educate others of the impact that material "necessities" and anthropogenic activities have on our planet. In my opinion our primary focus should be on the preservation of our planet, not on the accumulation of wealth or status; which utilize methods that destroy our natural world for invaluable profits. The SSC is a great group and I'm glad to be a member. I hope to gain even more knowledge to benefit our world (think globally, act locally) and to encourage others to become more eco-friendly and aware.
Natalie Fox
From: Planet Earth
I have a particular affinity for trees, and would love to walk around the globe photographing them. I graduated from OU with a degree in Geography in June 2009. I am currently an Americorps VISTA at the Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development (COAD). While I am no longer a student, I love all the friends I met through SSC and want to stay involved this year and as long as I can. SSC holds a special place in my heart and I will always remember the good things I learned from being a part of such a great organization. I still live in Athens and would love to still see all of your lovely faces!
"There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest." - Elie Wiesel
Olivia Hogan
From: Athens, Ohio
International Business and Marketing major...I always find myself back here in Athens, and I have realized how much I truly love it. It is a wonderful place the live and I want to do my best in keeping Athens, and the rest of the world, as beautiful as it was meant to be.
"I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in."
Zach Deis
From: Centerville, Ohio
What's up, greeners? I am currently a French major and I joined SSC primarily because I was a barely-participating member of the Environmental Club in high school and I don't feel as if I did my proper karmic duty. The Earth has given me everything it has and I need to return the favor. Scheduling my classes so that I have a six-hour gap in the middle of the day allows me to hike until I am drenched with sunshine and sweat, so at least I can fulfill my minimal obligation of spending as much time in nature before our species annihilates it.
Zero Deng
From: Dalian, Liaoning Province, China
I am majoring in International Business, I don't really enjoy it but I have to. I like green environment, in fact I wish to be a hitchhiker on the road in Alaska. My favourate quote is "Everything that has a beginning has an end".