Cory V. Keith
Senior: Environmental Plant Science, Darr School of Agriculture; Greenhouse Student Worker; Campus Garden Manager; Anson Elliot Citizen Leadership Award.
Cory has a passion for all things outdoors, especially urban agriculture. This passion led to a major in plant science, which he says, “is an exciting field since plants are at the base level for all higher life, and cultures across time, are developed in relation to land and food sources.”
Cory is a great example of how students combine their passions and academics to have an impact in their community. Dedicating many hours to several sustainability activities such as the Campus Garden, the Greenhouse, and the University’s Sustainability Advisory Committee, Cory also volunteers his time with grant writing. The Cultivating Campus Sustainability: MSU HydroFood and Karls’ Hall Greenhouse: Energy Waste Reduction are two grants that Cory has developed, in conjunction with faculty and others, and presented for funding. Through a hydroponic food garden, the HydroFood Project partners with Chartwell’s, Residence Life and the Darr School of Agriculture to provide local food sourcing for students, grown at Kentwood and cared for by student interns.
Whether it’s accomplished in committee, digging in the dirt, or through the pen, Cory rises to the challenge of reducing our ecological footprint. For his contributions and ethical leadership to create a sustainable impact on and off campus, we are pleased to recognize Cory Keith as the May 2016 Public Affairs Student Spotlight.