Earth Day, Every Day — Valparaiso University’s Ongoing Commitment to Environmental Stewardship
As Earth Day 2025 approaches, Valparaiso University is once again demonstrating that its commitment to sustainability goes far beyond a single day on the calendar. Through hands-on research, collaborative community partnerships, and passionate student involvement, Valpo continues to embrace environmental stewardship as a year-round responsibility.
“Sustainability at Valpo isn’t just a program or a buzzword — it’s part of who we are,” said Julie Peller, Ph.D., professor of chemistry and longtime environmental advocate. “From our classrooms to our labs to the communities we serve, our students are learning what it means to take responsibility for the world around them.”
Turning Up the Heat on Renewable Energy Research
That spirit of innovation comes to life at the James S. Markiewicz Solar Energy Research Facility (SERF), home to the only undergraduate solar furnace in the world. Inside SERF, students are doing more than learning about renewable energy — they’re helping shape its future.
Recent collaborations with Arizona State University, the University of Michigan, and Sandia National Laboratories — funded by the U.S. Department of Energy — have placed Valpo researchers at the center of efforts to develop affordable hydrogen fuel and advanced solar energy storage. Through these projects, students are testing new materials and systems that could one day power our homes and communities more sustainably.
Monitoring the Air We Breathe
Beyond the lab, Valpo is keeping a close eye on another essential part of our environment: the air. In Northwest Indiana, Associate Professor Chris Iceman, Ph.D., and his students are deploying low-cost PurpleAir sensors to monitor air quality and detect harmful particulate matter.
These efforts not only generate valuable data but also highlight the connection between environmental science and social justice. Communities disproportionately affected by air pollution benefit from increased awareness and advocacy, powered in part by the data Valpo students help collect and analyze.
In addition to being involved in environmental sustainability, students involved in the project have gained valuable experience with technology, aviation, and collaboration with other institutions as part of the North Lake County Environmental Partnership.
Uncovering the Hidden Threat of Microplastics
Another invisible challenge has drawn student researchers to local waterways, sands, and soil samples: microplastics. These tiny fragments of plastic — often too small to see — are everywhere, from drinking water to the very air we breathe.
Under Professor Peller’s mentorship, students are investigating how these particles fragment and what particles and chemicals they might release into the environment and human bodies.
“Microplastics are everywhere — in the air, the water, even in our bodies,” said Professor Peller. “We’re working to identify how these particles break down, how they interact with other substances and what chemicals they release. It’s not just what you see in the environment, but what’s happening at a chemical level that people don’t often think about. We are learning that the microscopic plastic particles and the chemical additives pose a real threat to our health.”
Their work feeds directly into public outreach through the Plastic Reduction Alliance of Northwest Indiana, where students lead community education efforts and promote sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics.
Transformation through Community Collaboration
That commitment to outreach was front and center at this year’s Earth Day celebrations. Valpo students brought their research and passion to the Porter County Expo Center and Miller Beach, engaging with the public at events like Planet Palooza and local clean-up initiatives.
For Emily Broniewicz ’26, the experience was transformative. “I had the amazing opportunity to talk directly with people about the impact of plastic pollution and how small changes can make a big difference. It meant so much to be in a space where I could share my passion for science in a way that truly connected with people. Helping others understand the ‘why’ behind sustainability reminded me why I care so deeply about this work in the first place.”
Cultivating a Culture of Sustainability from Day One
For first-year students, Valpo’s Sustainability Cohort offers an immersive entry point into the University’s environmental mission. The program combines interdisciplinary coursework, service-learning, and shared living spaces to help students explore sustainability from all angles.
Cohort members don’t just study the issues — they get to work. From conducting waste audits and championing composting efforts to organizing campus campaigns, these students are building a foundation for lifelong environmental leadership.
A Living Commitment
Earth Day may serve as a focal point for many institutions, but at Valparaiso University, environmental stewardship is woven into the fabric of campus life. Whether it’s cutting-edge research at SERF, boots-on-the-ground monitoring of air quality, or hands-in-the-soil advocacy against microplastics, Valpo’s students and faculty are proving that real change comes through consistent, collaborative, and community-focused action.
The University’s environmental efforts show how the campus community is living out Valpo’s commitment to service and leadership, two pillars of the five-year plan Uplift Valpo: Our Beacon for the Journey Forward.
As the University looks to the future, our message is clear: Sustainability isn’t just something we celebrate. It’s something we live.
