Month: May 2025
The certification process was led by a team of environmental studies majors.
SALEM, Va., May 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Roanoke College is proud to announce that it’s been certified as a Bee Campus USA site, recognizing its commitment to pollinator-friendly practices that support vital environmental needs.
Roanoke is the 200th college or university nationwide to join the Bee Campus USA movement. Its certification process was spearheaded by students majoring in environmental studies who were inspired to turn what they were learning into tangible action right here on campus.
“We wanted to show how even small changes can be part of a big impact,” said James Hartmann ’25, one of five students who proposed the project as part of their senor practicum, a course that challenged them to tackle a real-world issue.
Bee Campus USA is a national program designed to marshal the strengths of higher ed campuses to create better habitats for bees and other pollinators essential to our ecosystem. Collectively, pollinators support the growth of over 85% of flowering plants and 65% of agricultural crops. This year, a new study concluded that one in five pollinators in North America is at an elevated risk of extinction.
As part of its Bee Campus USA certification, Roanoke reaffirmed its commitment to pro-pollinator landscape management practices, including the use of native plants on campus. Hartmann and classmates also added a pollinator plant section to the campus garden, where the Roanoke College Beekeeping Society maintains a hive and plans to add a second one next month.
Pollinator habitats also are supported on Elizabeth Campus, where the Roanoke College Environment Center is restoring about five acres of meadows, woods, and creek swales. In 2024, it was able to install bat houses and bee houses, thanks to grants from the National Wildlife Federation, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom College and University Grant Program, and the Virginia Environmental Endowment Community Conservation Program.
“Bee Campus USA certification is a wonderful acknowledgment of the work our campus is doing to create a healthier environment for pollinators,” said Professor Kathy O’Neill, chair of environmental studies at Roanoke. “Pollinators play a crucial role in our ecosystems, and we’re proud to be part of a national effort to protect them.”
More information is available at beecityusa.org.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/roanoke-earns-bee-campus-usa-certification-302451542.html
SOURCE Roanoke College
From Paris to New York, AWDPI’s mission to empower Asian women earns global recognition and catalyzes new action at CSW69.
NEW YORK, May 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In March 2025, the global non-profit organization Asian Women Development Plan International (AWDPI) received two prestigious honors during the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) at UN Headquarters in New York.
AWDPI was awarded the Global Outstanding Women’s Public Welfare Organization Award, while its Board Member, Ms. Stephanie Sun, received the Asian Outstanding Female Leadership Award. These accolades reflect the international community’s recognition of AWDPI’s leadership in promoting gender equality and the rising global influence of Asian women in public service.
Five Years of Global Impact: Empowering Asian Women Worldwide
Founded in 2020 by Ms. Yimar Yu, AWDPI evolved from its original founding program Avoice (Against Violence to Overseas Chinese Women Program). The organization works to eliminate gender-based violence and discrimination and to uplift Asian women through economic opportunity, political engagement, and cultural empowerment.
Over the past five years, AWDPI has established a global footprint with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, and Australia. Partnering with the United Nations, governments, academia, and private sector stakeholders, it has directly supported thousands of Asian women in more than 30 countries.
Programs such as the Anti-Domestic Violence Support System and the Conference of Asian Women Development International are widely regarded as global models for innovation and cross-cultural impact in gender advocacy.
A Powerful Voice at the United Nations
AWDPI has participated in high-level dialogues and official parallel forums hosted by the United Nations, amplifying the call for equitable opportunities for Asian women. Its representatives have shared critical insights, proposed actionable policies, and strengthened interregional cooperation for sustainable development.
Advocating in Paris: Championing China’s Gender Equality Policy
On March 5, AWDPI Board Member Ms. Yanping Wang, a delegate to the landmark 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, took the stage at the Femina Vox International Forum held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Speaking at the opening high-level roundtable, she reflected on the enduring global significance of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action—30 years on.
In a compelling dialogue moderated by UNESCO Artist for Peace Dr. Guila Clara Kessous, Ms. Wang reaffirmed China’s deep-rooted commitment to gender equality and inclusive development. She highlighted how the principles first enshrined in the Beijing Declaration continue to guide international cooperation on women’s rights.
“Empowering women is synonymous with empowering all of humanity,” she emphasized, calling on governments, private sector leaders, and civil society to re-energize their commitment to gender justice in the face of growing global challenges. Her remarks brought a powerful historical and policy perspective to the forum and were met with broad international resonance.
Breaking Barriers: Stephanie Sun’s Personal Journey of Leadership
On March 17, during CSW69 at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York, AWDPI Board Member Stephanie Sun was invited to share her inspiring journey with her personal “firsts”: including being the first one going to college and the first immigrant in her family, she became the first female immigrant in history to be appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania as Executive Director of the Governor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs. She also made history by spearheading the historic progress of the Pennsylvania election system moving from bilingual to trilingual, adding the first Asian language, Chinese, secured by the federal Voting Rights Act, and by becoming the first Asian to serve as Vice President of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, part of the largest civil rights organizations in the U.S.
Despite systemic challenges historically faced by Asian communities, Ms. Sun’s story is a powerful example of individual resilience driving systemic change. She encouraged Asian women to become agents of transformation and to create ‘countless firsts’ in public life. Her speech was met with great enthusiasm and was interrupted several times by resounding applause.
For her outstanding contributions to public policy and civic engagement, she received the Asian Outstanding Female Leadership Award. Other honorees at the event included Nobel laureate Ms. Youyou Tu, and former Secretary Ms. Elaine Chao.
Shaping the Global Gender Agenda: AWDPI at the New York Action Initiative
On March 19, AWDPI played a key role in CSW69’s parallel forum on Women’s Economic Empowerment. Ms. Yuting Deng, AWDPI’s U.S. Representative, presented findings from global projects and urged policymakers to take meaningful steps to address the needs of overseas Asian women. Building on this engagement, AWDPI joined international delegates in signing the New York Action Initiative, symbolizing cross-border solidarity and shared commitment to women’s empowerment.
Throughout CSW69, Ms. Tiantian Wu, Director of AWDPI’s U.S. National Office, led AWDPI’s strategic policy engagement and multilateral dialogue to amplify the voices of Asian women in global gender discussions. “Every registration table is a site of advocacy, and every coffee break holds the potential for change,” she noted. Through sustained and intentional presence, AWDPI ensured that the priorities of Asian women were meaningfully integrated into international gender equality agendas.
A Call to Action: Lighting the Path Ahead
At the award ceremony of CSW69’s parallel forum, held at the United Nations Headquarters, AWDPI founder Ms. Yimar Yu reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to empowering Asian women, advancing their participation and leadership in global progress. She extended her sincere appreciation to UN Gender Equality Advocate Ms. Hawa Taylor-Kamara Diallo, who also served as the award presenter, for her decades-long leadership in fostering cross-cultural understanding and advancing global gender equality.
From Paris to New York, AWDPI has been a consistent contributor to global gender equality efforts and human rights through sustained multilateral engagement. As a signatory to the New York Action Initiative, AWDPI continues to champion inclusive development through gender-responsive advocacy and international cooperation.
“Where fragments of light converge, they will ultimately illuminate the future of human civilization.” —AWDPI
AWDPI calls upon partners, media, and allies worldwide to join in advancing a more just, inclusive, and gender-equal world.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/awdpi-honored-at-the-united-nations-empowering-asian-women-advancing-global-gender-equality-302451686.html
SOURCE Asian Women Development Plan International
StarKist Volunteers Build Custom Playset for Pediatric Cancer Warrior as Part of National
“Play It Forward” Program
RESTON, Va., May 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On May 9, StarKist Co., America’s favorite tuna brand, partnered with the Roc Solid Foundation to bring joy to 7-year-old Fallon D’Aguiar of Silver Spring, MD, who is bravely fighting Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Since 2009, Roc Solid has supported thousands of families through the power of play, creating and offering hospital Ready Bags at diagnosis and building custom backyard playsets during treatment.
“We believe in the power of play, because when kids are playing, cancer is the last thing on their minds,” says Eric Newman, founder and CEO of Roc Solid Foundation. “We are so appreciative of the support of StarKist; we simply couldn’t do what we do without organizations like theirs rallying around these families with support.”
Fallon was surprised with a custom-built backyard playset through Roc Solid’s “Play It Forward” initiative, which brings the healing power of play to children fighting cancer. For families whose routines are filled with treatments and isolation, where public play isn’t always safe due to weakened immune systems, a backyard playset offers more than fun. It creates a safe, germ-free escape and a chance to make joyful memories together.
Volunteers, including a group of StarKist employees, spent the morning constructing Fallon’s playset from the ground up. The experience culminated in a powerful “What Hope Looks Like” moment as Charlie The Tuna® helped unveil the finished playset to Fallon and her family for the first time, turning an ordinary backyard into a place of joy, comfort, and hope.
“As a socially responsible company, StarKist is thrilled to partner with Roc Solid Foundation for multiple initiatives this year to help bring hope and joy to kids fighting childhood cancer,” says Mike Merritt Jr., Head of Marketing at StarKist. “Our team was honored to play a part in creating a space where Fallon can just be a kid again and where cancer isn’t front and center.”
StarKist® Cares is the company’s commitment to making a lasting impact through charitable initiatives that fight hunger and uplift communities. In addition to its work with Roc Solid Foundation to support children facing pediatric cancer, StarKist has spent more than 15 years addressing food insecurity by donating millions of tuna and chicken products nationwide. The company also partners with Feed the Children® to provide vital disaster and emergency relief, supports Cornerstones in assisting vulnerable families in Northern Virginia, and honors Korean War veterans through its continued support of The Chosin Few.
About StarKist Co.
StarKist Co. is a socially responsible company that empowers people to live a healthy lifestyle by providing convenient nutritious proteins. An industry innovator, StarKist was the first brand to introduce convenient single-serve pouch products, which include StarKist Tuna Creations®, Salmon Creations®, and Chicken Creations® in over 40 varieties. As America’s favorite tuna, StarKist represents a tradition of quality, consumer trust and a commitment to sustainability. StarKist’s charismatic brand icon, Charlie The Tuna®, swam into the hearts of tuna fans in 1961 and is still a fan favorite today. StarKist Co. is a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Dongwon Industries Co., Ltd.
About Roc Solid Foundation
Roc Solid Foundation builds hope for kids fighting cancer nationwide through the power of play. The organization distributes hospital Ready Bags to families just after they hear the devastating news that their child has cancer, and then provides backyard playsets so kids have a safe place to play during treatment. Roc Solid currently partners with over 180 children’s hospitals to distribute Ready Bags, and playsets have been provided to thousands of kids fighting cancer in almost every state across the U.S. For more info, visit rocsolidfoundation.org.
Media Contacts
Michelle Faist
Michelle.Faist@StarKist.com
571-441-8096
Tori Schettino
tschettino@coynepr.com
973-588-2381
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/starkist-teams-up-with-roc-solid-foundation-to-bring-backyard-joy-to-7-year-old-fighting-cancer-302451472.html
SOURCE StarKist Co.
For decades, owning your own energy infrastructure was a point of pride. It meant independence, control and long-term value. But in today’s world of tight capital, rising utility risk and increasing operational complexity, that logic is unraveling fast.
The truth? Energy infrastructure is no longer a smart asset. It’s a distraction. A cost center. A growing liability.
If you’re still spending capital to install boilers, chillers, generators or rooftop solar panels, you’re missing a transformational shift in how energy is delivered and financed. The new model isn’t about owning equipment—it’s about outsourcing outcomes.
Enter Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS): a smarter, faster, capital-light way to modernize your energy systems without tying up budget or resources. Instead of building, owning and maintaining energy infrastructure yourself, you partner with a private provider who does it all for you—and pays for it, too.
Let’s break down how it works, why it’s gaining traction and what’s at stake if you stick with business as usual.
The Problem: Legacy Energy Infrastructure Is Sinking Budgets
Across the board—from hospitals to manufacturers to data centers—organizations are burdened by outdated, inefficient and expensive energy systems.
Maybe it’s an aging steam plant guzzling fuel. Or backup generators that haven’t been tested in years. Or utility bills that fluctuate wildly from month to month. The equipment might still run—but it’s draining your capital, your staff and your ability to move forward.
Here’s what’s driving the urgency to rethink ownership:
- Capital Is Tight: Every dollar spent on infrastructure is a dollar not spent on your core mission—whether that’s expanding patient care, building new research labs or investing in production capacity. With budgets under constant scrutiny, large capital outlays for energy upgrades are often delayed or denied.
- In-House Expertise Is Stretched Thin: Maintaining a complex energy system requires skilled technicians, engineers and facility managers. But with labor shortages and retirements hitting hard, many organizations are struggling just to keep up with daily operations—let alone plan for modernization.
- Energy Costs Are Rising: Many organizations are turning to EaaS to reduce long-term operating costs and improve energy efficiency. Whether it’s minimizing fuel spend, avoiding utility rate spikes or lowering maintenance expenses, EaaS offers a path to meaningful savings—without large upfront investment.
- Reliability Risks Are Growing: Grid instability. Extreme weather. Cyber threats. Energy reliability is no longer a guarantee. Yet the cost of downtime—from lost revenue to safety risks—is rising fast. Aging backup systems and deferred maintenance are a dangerous combination.
Put simply: the traditional model of owning and operating your own energy infrastructure is no longer aligned with business reality.
The EaaS Alternative: Pay for Performance, Not Equipment
Energy-as-a-Service turns the old model on its head.
Instead of buying, installing and managing your own infrastructure, you partner with a private provider who delivers energy as a managed service. They design, finance, build, own, operate and maintain the system—while you pay a predictable monthly fee tied to performance.
You get the energy outcomes you need—power, heating, cooling, resilience, cost savings and even decarbonization—without taking on the upfront cost or long-term risk of ownership.
How It Works
Step 1: Assessment: The EaaS provider evaluates your current energy systems, load profiles, risks, and long-term operational goals.
Step 2: Custom Design + Financing: They design a solution (often including microgrids, combined heat and power, renewables, or high-efficiency equipment) and fund the project with private capital—no CapEx required from you.
Step 3: Implementation, Operations & Maintenance: The provider installs the system and takes full responsibility for day-to-day operations, monitoring, and maintenance. You offload the burden of operation and maitenancy entirely—freeing up your staff while ensuring performance.
Step 4: Monthly Service Fee: You pay a service fee, typically structured around energy usage, avoided utility costs, or service-level benchmarks like uptime, emissions reduction, or reliability. The fee includes ongoing operations and maintenance, so you’re never stuck footing the bill for unexpected repairs or performance shortfalls.
The result? You gain access to modern, resilient, efficient energy systems—without the hassle, risk, or capital burden.
Why EaaS Is Gaining Ground Across Industries
Forward-looking organizations are embracing EaaS to get out of the energy infrastructure business—and focus their time, talent and capital where it matters most. Here’s why:
- No Upfront Capital Required: This is the biggest game-changer. With EaaS, you can implement multimillion-dollar upgrades without touching your CapEx budget. That means no internal battles for funding, no debt on your balance sheet and no delays while you wait for budget cycles.
- Shift Risk to a Private Partner: Under EaaS, the provider assumes the risks tied to system design, performance and maintenance. If the generator fails or the savings don’t materialize, it’s their problem—not yours. That’s a radical shift in accountability.
- Lower Long-Term Energy Costs: Energy-as-a-Service can significantly reduce your operating expenses. From increased efficiency to smarter controls to optimized fuel strategies, the savings add up quickly—without tying up internal staff or capital.
- Resilience Without the Burden: Whether you’re in healthcare, manufacturing or data, downtime is unacceptable. EaaS makes it possible to deploy backup systems like battery storage or dual-fuel generators—without owning or maintaining them yourself. You get guaranteed uptime, with service-level agreements to back it up.
- Built-In Modernization: Technology is evolving fast. From AI-driven controls to EV infrastructure to smart microgrids, energy systems are becoming more complex. EaaS ensures your systems stay current over the life of the contract, with upgrades and preventive maintenance often included.
Who’s Using EaaS Today?
EaaS is gaining adoption in capital-intensive, mission-critical sectors where energy reliability and cost certainty matter most:
Hospitals and Healthcare Systems: Offload the complexity of backup power, heating and cooling—while staying compliant with life safety codes and reducing operational costs.
Universities and Campuses: Replace aging steam plants and inefficient infrastructure with right-sized systems that reduce operating expenses and support long-term sustainability goals.
Industrial Manufacturers: Improve energy efficiency, reduce costs and increase uptime—without adding risk to the balance sheet.
Data Centers: Enhance reliability and resilience while managing energy costs with predictable pricing and SLAs.
Municipalities: Upgrade essential infrastructure without new taxes, bonds, or debt—while delivering community-facing sustainability and economic benefits.
What to Look for in an EaaS Partner
Like any long-term service relationship, success depends on the right partner. Look for:
Proven Track Record: Experience across multiple technologies, asset classes and industries—not just a solar installer rebranding as EaaS.
Financial Strength: The ability to fund multimillion-dollar projects and remain stable through economic cycles.
Operational Expertise: Deep bench strength in engineering, controls and facility operations and maintenance—not just development and design.
Transparent Performance Guarantees: Contracts that tie payments to measurable, auditable outcomes—not vague service levels.
Flexible Structures: EaaS models can take many forms—make sure the provider tailors the contract to your goals, whether that’s cost savings, decarbonization or resilience.
The Bottom Line: Own Results, Not Equipment
In today’s economy, the most strategic organizations aren’t doubling down on energy infrastructure. They’re stepping back—and letting private partners deliver the outcomes they need.
They’re getting out of the ownership game. Freeing up capital. Reducing risk. Improving efficiency. And doing it all without sacrificing performance or control.
That’s the power of Energy-as-a-Service.
If your facilities team is bogged down with repairs, your CapEx is frozen and your energy costs are outpacing your budget, it’s time to stop buying equipment and start buying results.
The future of energy isn’t about what you own. It’s about what you achieve.