University of Nebraska-Lincoln students will work with several businesses over the next two summers to reduce water, energy and material use, as well as wastewater and solid waste, through an Environmental Protection Agency grant.
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Pollution Prevention Act, the EPA announced recipients of $9 million in grant money to take on projects ranging from improving the efficiency of food processing plants to the metal manufacturing industry.
UNL will receive about $236,000 to send students to four different companies in both 2021 and 2022 to provide on-site technical assistance.
For 10 weeks in the summer, upperclassman students from several different majors at UNL will work as consultants, helping food processors and metal manufacturers find ways to reduce their water and energy use, as well as slash solid and wastewater production.
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Bruce Dvorak, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, said the grant employs students from disciplines such as civil, chemical, mechanical and biological systems engineering to work with businesses on "improving sustainability while saving money."
The competitive grant program gives students a chance to apply their learning in real-world settings that goes beyond an internship.
Bruce Dvorak, UNL professor of civil and environmental engineering.
For example, one UNL student will look at how a central Nebraska slaughterhouse can further process animal waste to cut down on transportation costs of those materials, as well as the environmental footprint of the company.
As part of its Partners in Pollution Prevention program, Dvorak said each of the businesses where UNL sends students to work is also required to pay a $5,000 match to help with project planning and support.
EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Gulliford said it's not unusual for students to land positions at the companies where they gain practical experience during the summer programs.
The work done by students will remain proprietary to each business, but case studies with recommendations will be available to other businesses that wish to study their own environmental impact, Gulliford added.
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said the grants will "cut pollution and advance innovation and economic growth."
A total of 42 grants will be awarded this year ranging from $25,000 to $498,000.
16 famous UNL alumni
16 famous University of Nebraska-Lincoln alumni
Johnny Carson
Johnny Carson, the king of late night TV, graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is from Norfolk.
Tyronn Lue
Tyronn Lue is head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Jeff Zeleny
Jeff Zeleny, shown with Sen. Barack Obama on Oct. 1, 2008, on Capitol Hill in Washington, is senior White House correspondent for CNN.
Willa Cather
"O Pioneers!" author Willa Cather graduated from the University of Nebraska.
Ndamukong Suh
Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh graduated in 2009.
Ev Williams
Ev Williams, the Nebraska native who co-founded Twitter, spent a little more than a year at UNL.
Ted Kooser
Former U.S. Poet Laureate Ted Kooser got his master's degree from the University of Nebraska.
Joel Sartore
National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore graduated from UNL.
Mary Pipher
Author Mary Pipher, whose work includes "Reviving Ophelia," will be inducted into the Nebraska Performing Arts Hall of Fame on Nov. 18.
Tommy Lee
Rocker Tommy Lee famously attended college at UNL for a reality TV show.
Warren Buffett
Berkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett, holds an ice cream bar as he poses for a selfie with Liz Claman of the Fox Business Network, on May 6, 2017. Buffett graduated from UNL in 1951.
Aaron Douglas
Painter, illustrator and educator Aaron Douglas graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1922 and settled in Harlem three years later, where he became a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance and became the father of African-American art.
John J. Pershing
Famous military leader John J. Pershing graduated from the law college in 1895.
Alex Gordon
Kansas City Royals' Alex Gordon hits during a spring training baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, March 21, 2017, in Scottsdale, Ariz. Gordon went to UNL from 2002-2005.
Ted Sorensen
After the 1960 election, Ted Sorensen became President Kennedy’s chief aide and speechwriter. He graduated from the College of Law in 1951.
Louise Pound
Folklorist Louise Pound got her bachelor's degree in 1892 and her master's in 1895, then spent decades teaching at UNL.
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Chris Dunker
Higher education/statehouse reporter
A native of Beatrice, Chris Dunker has reported on higher education, state government and other issues since joining the Journal Star in 2014.
