UW-Green Bay Announces Sustainability and Earth Caretaker Awards
On April 15, 2025 students, faculty, staff and alumni of UW-Green Bay were honored at the 2025 Sustainability Showcase and Earth Caretaker Award ceremony. Each year the campus celebrates by sharing campus sustainability efforts, and most importantly, by recognizing those individuals doing the work of sustainability on a daily basis.
John Arendt, director of UW-Green Bay’s Office of Sustainability and the Environmental Management and Business Institute (EMBI) led the program and began by thanking Daniela Beall. Daniela was the campus sustainability coordinator from 2021 until March of 2024. She helped the campus by leading efforts in student sustainability engagement, climate action plan development, sustainability assessment, electronics recycling and EV charger purchasing.
UW-Green Bay student Remi Dantzman was honored with the Shining Star in Sustainability Awards for 2025. Leading the 
composting efforts outside of the union takes time and effort. Remi has taken the lead to not only get the message out about how to collect compost but she takes it upon herself weekly to collect materials from all of the students and offices listed previously and to deliver them to the composter and to replace the containers washed.
UW-Green Bay alumnus Dave Muench was honored for his role in securing two EV charging stations on campus. Thanks to extensive research and a gift from Dave and Deb Muench, the two EV charges are activated, located at the new Cort Condon Residence Hall and another located behind the Weidner Center.
The Phoenix Green Teacher Award Program recognizes instructors who promote environmental sustainability through their teaching and seek to minimize negative environmental impacts associated with teaching. Congratulations to this year’s recipients:
- Craig Hulce
- James Kabrhel
- Rebecca Nesvet
- Ray Parth
- David Voelker
- Georjeanna Wilson – Doenges
The Phoenix Green Staff Award recognizes staff members who promote environmental sustainability through their daily actions and seek to minimize negative environmental impacts associated with their support roles. Congratulations to this year’s recipients:
- Stephanie Kaponya
- Nicole Kurth
- Jeff Willems
The Earth Caretaker Award was presented to UW-Green Bay alumna Veronica Brieno Rankin, ’99. Ms. Brieno Rankin is the 
Installation Management Flight Chief at the 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron, Hurlbut Field, Florida. In this capacity, she leads people, a multi-million dollar budget and real estate including the Headquarter Air Force Special Operations Command. She is also charged with ensuring environmental compliance of eight installation utility systems valued at $622 million and 6,634 acres of land, 52% of which is designed as wetlands and home to 16 threatened and endangered species. She is a tireless advocate and proud UW-Green Bay alumnus.
