University receives award for first place in environmental challenge

Feb. 27--WARRENSBURG -- The University of Central Missouri received recognition Feb. 24 in the MOKAN Take Charge Challenge.

Climate and Energy Project program Director Cassi Reimer recognized UCM Office of Sustainability student competitors Dayona Nett, Hunter Hoyer, Kaytlynn Clemons, Jared Childress and Mirna Ghaly.

"My team put in a lot of effort towards this protect, worked countless hours getting our audits done and working to build our programs up. It is really worth that. It really reflects on my team," Hoyer said.

The university will get $5,000 towards a solar panel to use on one of the buildings from the Kansas City Power & Light competition.

The challenge ran from Aug. 1 to Jan. 31, and involved businesses, churches and schools completing more than 175 tasks for the challenge that promoted saving energy, water and money.

Arwood's Furniture and Mattress took second place, followed by Warrensburg Church of the Brethren.

Reimer said Arwood's reported 19 infrastructure efforts that saved more than 590 million British thermal units.

"We just had our roof collapse last February and we took that construction opportunity to upgrade," Arwood's marketing manager Bill Gudde said. "This challenge actually coincided with a lot of stuff we were already implementing and things we already put in place."

Gudde gave all of the credit to co-owner Debbie Arwood.

"She put in the majority of the time and effort," Gudde said.

Reimer said the competition with UCM kept Arwood awake until the challenge ended at midnight Jan. 31.

"People were still claiming points until 12:01 which is when it cut off," Reimer said. "Really, the university won it at the last minute and pulled in front."

With the six participants, Warrensburg completed more than 175 tasks. They included putting the challenge logo on a website, inventories, audits, strategic plans and setting goals and budgets. Participants saved 1 billion BTUs and 700 gallons of water.

Warrensburg also had more than 25 educational events during the competition, which shared information with about 1,700 people.

Insurance Associates, Reece & Nichols Warrensburg/Whiteman Reality and the Murdock Banner Financial Group also participated.

Warrensburg competed against the Kansas cities of Hays, Hutchinson and Kansas City for a $10,000 grand prize. Warrensburg finished third.

"In Warrensburg, we got a little bit later start here, but in six weeks (the city) did some amazing things," Reimer said. "Hutchinson had been working since August on their projects, and it's really shown me that maybe we should have a shorter (competition) because you had a limited amount of time and rose to the occasion."

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