October 2025
WSU introduces solar-powered Flaming W
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Weber State University has completed the installation of a permanent, solar-powered Flaming W on the mountainside overlooking the Ogden campus, marking a significant milestone in both sustainability and tradition.
According to Weber State Facilities Management (weber.edu/facilities/wonhill.html), the Flaming W has been part of WSU’s history since 1937, when the first version was lit using kerosene cans and burlap. Over the decades, various iterations were created, including plantings, painted rocks, and temporary electric installations, each requiring considerable effort and often carrying environmental risks. The new structure provides a lasting and environmentally responsible solution while honoring this long-standing tradition.
Believed to be the first hillside letter powered by solar energy, the installation reflects WSU’s strong commitment to sustainability. The project was completed in two phases between fall 2024 and summer 2025. Construction included preparing the hillside, installing solar panels and lighting, and restoring the surrounding environment. Following installation, the hillside will be reseeded to support natural vegetation and habitat renewal.
The solar array is designed to generate more than 100 kilowatts of electricity, about 100 times as much energy as the lighting will use, sufficient to illuminate the W for university events and to contribute excess energy to the campus grid, including support for the Dee Events Center. The W is lit with purple and white LEDs, in various patterns, to commemorate key occasions such as homecoming, commencement, Founders Day, and Wildcat athletic victories.
The official debut of the permanent Flaming W took place during halftime at a Weber State football game on September 20, 2025, introducing a new era for a cherished university tradition that now incorporates both community pride and WSU's effort to source renewable energy.
Weber State’s Annual Free Swap Returns
Mark your calendars- Weber State’s biggest free thrift event is just around the corner. The Annual Free Swap will take place on November 11 & 12 in Shepherd Union Ballroom B, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. .png/Untitled-4 (3)__300x300.png)
On Tuesday, November 11, students, faculty, and staff are welcome to drop off gently used items you would like to donate.
Then, on Wednesday, November 12, bring a reusable bag and browse through the collection to take home some new-to-you treasures for completely free!
The Free Swap is more than just a chance to refresh your closet, it’s also a step toward sustainable waste management. Last year alone, the event kept 2,750 pounds of merchandise out of the landfill. Come be part of making a difference! Volunteer here.
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The Sustainability Practices and Research Center is preparing for the 17th annual Intermountain Sustainability Summit (ISS) and invites speakers and artists to submit proposals through Friday, October 24. A proposal guide is available to help with the submission process.
Each year, the ISS brings together more than 400 sustainability professionals, emerging leaders, and students from across the Intermountain West to learn, collaborate, and drive positive change for our communities, environment, and economy. The summit spans two days of events featuring keynote speakers, local and national experts, and interactive sessions.
The 2026 theme, Building Resilience, calls on speakers and artists to share solutions that strengthen our ability to adapt, thrive, and support one another in the face of today’s challenges. At its heart, resilience is about connection—connection with ourselves, with others, and with the places we call home. Whether your work focuses on clean energy, adaptable infrastructure, ecosystem restoration, equitable access to resources, cross-sector partnerships, artistic expression, or practices of personal resilience, we welcome your perspective. Together, we can foster communities and systems that are strong, connected, and prepared for the future.
Welcome new SPARC staff
The Sustainable Practices and Research Center (SPARC) at Weber State is excited to welcome three new staff members to the team. These new staff are focused on advancing Weber State University’s goal to help the region strive for carbon neutrality by 2050, and are supported through a grant from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.
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Alyssa Higham joins the Weber Sustainability team as the Sustainable Living Program Manager at the new SPARC Home for Sustainable Living. With roots in ecology and a love for wildlife and being outside (whether through hiking, camping, or skiing), she brings a strong passion for environmental conservation. Alyssa is driven to help engage and empower communities to connect with nature. With a Master’s degree in Science and Technology focused on environmental sustainability and public policy, along with 4 years of experience in community-focused project management, she brings both technical expertise and collaborative leadership to this role. She is excited to work to advance regional clean energy advances and water conservation, as well as explore the importance of sustainable living with local residents.
Josh Taylor recently graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Environmental Studies and is the new Community Engagement Coordinator with the SPARC House for Sustainable Living. Between wielding crosscut saws in the Uinta backcountry and assessing irrigation in the suburbs of the Salt Lake Valley, he has loved where land and water conservation jobs have taken him, and is excited to continue this work in the energy conservation sphere (next stop: perhaps a Magic School Bus-style field trip into a solar panel?). Beyond the office, he devotes time to his plants, his cat, cooking, making music, and enjoying the outdoors. Some recent highlights of his life include a close encounter with a bison, fulfilling his 4th grade dream of seeing (but not hugging) a saguaro cactus, and hitting a hackysack with his head.
Kailee Sendle joins the SPARC Home for Sustainable Living as the new Climate and Energy Outreach Coordinator. A recent graduate from the University of Utah with a degree in Geography and Environmental Sustainability Studies, Kailee is excited to get to know the Weber State community and hit the road in her new statewide outreach role. Since moving to Utah, she has made it her mission to try every outdoor hobby she can. Whether she’s skiing down the slopes, struggling up the bike trails, or simply soaking in the scenery, she’s found joy in the shared experiences the outdoors offer. Though still perfecting her adventure skills, Kailee has developed a deep appreciation for the way nature connects people across communities. She looks forward to engaging with Utahns across the state in conversations and actions around climate and energy.
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The SPARC Home for Sustainable Living is a hands-on demonstration home in Ogden designed to showcase affordable, practical ways to transition to clean energy and reduce utility bills. Featuring solar panels, battery storage, heat pumps, and more, the home will serve as a place for the community to come to receive information and one on one practical support. It will also serve as a living lab for Weber State students.
Before the SPARC Home opens to the public in spring 2026, we invite WSU faculty, staff, Green Team members, and university affiliates to be the first to explore the home. Your visits will help us refine our tours and workshops, ensuring they’re engaging, effective, and ready for the community launch. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the SPARC Home, help inform how we can best support coursework, and learn practical sustainability tips you can use at home. Additionally, we welcome suggestions concerning sustainability solutions we could incorporate into community outreach.
Faculty and staff participants can also join our DIY workshops, where SPARC team members will demonstrate simple, cost-saving energy upgrades, and provide materials so you can try them at home.
When the SPARC Home officially opens, it will welcome all Utahns, including underserved and rural communities. Supported by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s Beehive Emissions Reduction Plan and Weber State University, this project is part of WSU’s commitment to helping the region move toward carbon neutrality by 2050.
People care about clean air, healthy homes, and saving money—we’re here to help them achieve all three. To schedule an appointment, reach out to Alyssa Higham at alyssahigham@weber.edu, or Bonnie Christiansen at bchristiansen2@weber.edu or call 801-626-6326.
Green Badge Program Update
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Participate in the Green Badge Program and start earning your badges today!
October’s green badge will help you explore
“Social Sustainability.”
Green Badge participants are learning practical sustainability skills each month and sharing what they learned. Last month, a participant remarked,
“I had never really thought about how often I let my car idle, or that there are even laws against it. My car doesn’t have the automatic shut-off feature, but I’ve come to appreciate vehicles that do. Now, I’m committed to turning my car off in drive-throughs and whenever I’m sitting idle. I also learned that restarting the car doesn’t use more gas- in fact, idling actually wastes fuel that could be used to drive.”
It’s a reminder that small, simple actions can go a long way in protecting our shared home.
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The Green Department Program is for faculty and staff to learn ways to make their departments or offices more sustainable. Green Teams work together to earn points and recognition by implementing change and taking actions outlined in a Green Team checklist.
Upcoming Events & Important Dates
Food Recoveries
Einstein Bros Bagels, Shepherd Union Building
Tuesdays and Thursdays
1 – 2:15 p.m.
Volunteer here
Homecoming Tailgate
Stewart Stadium
Saturday, October 11
4 - 5 p.m.
Learn more
Zero Waste Athletics - WSU vs Sacramento State Football
Stewart Stadium
Saturday, October 11
5:30 - 10:30 p.m.
Register here
Help pick up trash and dine with the Environmental Ambassadors Club
Stewart Library
Wednesday, October 15
3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Learn more
Sustainability Snapshots with SPARC: Sarah Herrmann, Psychology | Matthew Romaniello, History | Andrew Rice, Visual Arts & Design
Hetzel-Hoellein room in Stewart Library, LI-321
Tuesday, October 21
1:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Learn more
Take the OGX to Kaffe Merc with the Environmental Ambassadors Club
Shepherd Union Building
Wednesday, October 22
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Register here
Nature and Human Health Annual Conference
Utah Cultural Celebration Center
Thursday, October 23
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Learn more
An Invitation From a Stone: Dr. Heather Root's Hinkley Award Address
Tracy Hall, Room 102
Tuesday, October 28
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Learn more
Food Committee Meeting
Shepherd Union Building, SU-301
Thursday, October 30
2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Learn more
News & Resources
WSU student helps give plastic a second shot at life through pickleball | Weber State University
Public input sought for the new Unified Water Infrastructure Plan | utah.gov
Electric vehicles don't just cut tailpipe emissions, they drive infrastructure change | Anthropocene
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