Record Participation in Earth Day Event
By Office of the President | Apr 28, 2026
More than 600 students, faculty, and staff celebrated Earth Day in one of the largest
turnouts for Downstate’s annual event.
This year’s program introduced a mini scavenger hunt designed to increase engagement with campus and community partners. Participants visited at least eight vendor tables to learn about sustainability, health, and wellness resources. Those who completed the challenge received a free plant, courtesy of the Office of Student Life and the Office of Policy and Planning.
Vendors delivered education and direct community benefit. Thank you to Kevin Ng, MBA, General Manager, and Team Sodexo for distributing four full tables of fresh fruits and vegetables. The Brooklyn Free Clinic hosted a bicycle raffle that raised more than $1,000 to to support its services; the winners were COM students, Duncan Sinclair and Abdullah Uddin.
Street Tree and Big Reuse provided information on tree planting and urban gardening initiatives across New York City and distributed vegetable plants. The Life Wellness Center offered lavender plants and aromatherapy items to support stress management and well-being. Not to be outdone, Mr. P’s Homemade Ice Cream served up a range of flavors, including lemon ginger, butter pecan, and strawberry.
The event also benefited from a significant contribution coordinated by Alishia Goodridge, MBA, Assistant Vice President, Government & Community Relations, who secured a donation from National Grid that included notebooks, reusable straws, pens, and materials focused on energy conservation.
The Earth Day celebration reflected a coordinated effort across multiple offices and teams. Committee members included Adam Burgman, M.Ed., Director of Student Activities and the Student Center; Wolf Lacossiere, MPA, Director of Strategy and Community Campus Initiative; Sherice Fields, Interim Director of Residential Life Services; Jacqueline Tonge, Student Center Assistant Supervisor for Desk Operations; Marian Searchwell, Ed.D., Director of the Adolescent Education Program/THEO; Magda Alliancin, Ed.D., CEAP, Employee Assistance Program Manager and Wellness Ambassador; Lynzee Daniel, Student Affairs Assistant; and Jennifer Hayes, Facilities Management and Development Staff Assistant.
Together, they delivered an event that connected the Downstate community with practical sustainability tools, reinforced community partnerships, and promoted individual well-being.
