As summer fades, excitement fills the air at Williams College. This year, the Zilkha Center for the Environment welcomed the Class of 2028 with a special focus on sustainability during our First Days’ Events.
Pressing Forward: The Cider Pressing Event
One of our highlights was the annual Cider Pressing event. Teaming up with Makerspace Program Manager David Keiser-Clark and Hopkins Forest Manager Elise Leduc-Fleming, we introduced first-year students to the joy of making cider. After a brief reading from Robin Wall Kimmerer’s “Honorable Harvest,” we pressed apples from the Environmental Center orchards into delicious fresh cider.
Refreshing Conversations: The Sustainable Sorbet Social
Earlier that week, our Sustainable Sorbet Social, in collaboration with the Williams Chaplain’s Office, encouraged students to explore the link between spirituality and the environment. As we enjoyed locally sourced sorbet, meaningful conversations blossomed, deepening our connections to nature and each other.
Community Commitment: Williams Give It Up! Program
The Williams Give It Up! program, led by Colin Ovitsky, Administrative Coordinator at the Center for Learning in Action (CLiA), for over 11 years, exemplifies Williams’ cross-departmental commitment to sustainability, through making a positive impact on community organizations and reducing our environmental impact. Give It Up!, supported by various campus departments, is an initiative that places donation pods at 13 strategic locations during finals, making it easy for students to donate unwanted items during move-out season.
Partnering with the First Congregational Church and ABC Clothing, clothes and linens are distributed to those in need, while Chapter Two Books supports local organizations and food pantries with their profits from donated books. With around 12 student “Reunion Rangers” assisting during Commencement and Alumni Reunion weekend, the program thrives, encouraging creativity as students transform discarded items into art.
A Community Effort: The First Congregational Church Tag Sale
The First Congregational Church has hosted an annual tag sale for 27 years, collecting donations from students through Give It Up! and ensuring they reach those in need. The hope is for students to stop at the Tag Sale for their dorm necessities instead of shopping at retail locations, to prevent excess waste and contribute to a circular economy. After four days of sales, the Tag Sale concluded with a “Free Day” for students and community members, which led to a total of ~95% of items being taken, with leftover goods donated to Goodwill. This sale raises about $25,000 annually for community programs, fostering a strong bond among students, volunteers, and residents.
Looking Ahead
As we embrace this new semester, our commitment to sustainability at Williams is stronger than ever. With events like the Cider Pressing and Sustainable Sorbet Social, we invite new students into a community that values environmental stewardship. Here’s to a sustainable semester ahead!
Written by Alex Martone, Sustainability Coordinator