Margaret A. Cargill Foundation Makes $50,000 Grant to Guilford for Environmental Studies

 The Margaret A. Cargill Foundation has made a grant of $50,000 to Guilford to enhance the environmental studies program.  Funds from the grant will support program needs as determined by faculty in that academic area.  The college will receive $10,000 per year for five years.

“The environmental studies program is extremely proud to accept this grant and is grateful to be one of the few environmental education programs in the country to receive the support and recognition of the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation,” said Kyle Dell, assistant professor of political science and co-coordinator of the environmental studies program.

“Through this generous grant, our program will enhance student leadership in the interdisciplinary field of environmental studies by supporting new student programs focused on study abroad, internships, service learning and other experiential education opportunities,” he said.  “These new opportunities will allow student learning to continue to improve and excel just as Guilford continues to become a more sustainable campus and community.”

Guilford’s environmental studies program emphasizes the relationship between humans and the environment.  It allows students to study and address the quality of the Earth’s environment and the sustainable use of its natural resources.  The program’s focus on justice, global awareness, service to the greater community and sanctity of nature are in keeping with the college’s five academic principles and its Quaker heritage.

The environmental studies major is unique in the level of interdisciplinary course offerings, and involves faculty from many diverse academic fields of study.  Faculty are involved in a variety of public issues, including social and environmental justice topics, studies of water quality and aquatic ecosystems in Greensboro, environmental advisory work for the Guilford County Board of Commissioners and global climate change issues.

The Margaret A. Cargill Foundation is dedicated to providing meaningful assistance and support to society, the

arts, the environment and all living things.

The foundation supports a broad range of charitable purposes that were meaningful to Margaret Cargill, who died in 2006.  These purposes include the environment, the arts, disaster relief, children, education, teachers, tolerance and conflict resolution, families, animal care, American Indian culture and education, the elderly and health education for young people.

Cargill was the granddaughter of William Cargill, who co-founded Cargill Inc., one of the world’s largest agribusiness companies.

Sept. 30, 2009