Submitted by Saint Martin’s University
Saint Martin’s University was named the 2021 Large Business of the Year as a Thurston Green Designation recipient. This distinction highlights the University’s commitment to environmental sustainability and our Catholic Benedictine value of stewardship.
For 14 years, the Thurston Green Business designation program has recognized businesses in Thurston County making efforts to maintain and implement sustainable, green business practices. The program is administered by the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the cities of Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater, Intercity Transit, the Port of Olympia, Puget Sound Energy and Thurston County.
“We are excited to see many of our strides toward sustainability recognized by Thurston Green Business and our many community partners,” said Saint Martin’s University President Roy F. Heynderickx, Ph.D. “It is an honor to be selected as the Large Business of the Year and be listed alongside so many organizations also making sustainably-minded business decisions.”
To be designated a Thurston Green Business, organizations must submit an annual application. The Thurston Green Business program evaluates applicants on eight different categories that align with international sustainability standards. These include waste reduction and recycling, water conservation, energy efficiency, transportation and commute trip reduction, buying and selling green products, producing green products or providing green business services, sustainable product life cycles and social performance. Each of these elements is on par with globally accepted sustainability standards. The small, medium, large and municipal organization of the year awards recognize organizations demonstrating outstanding commitment to environmental sustainability. Learn more at the Thurston Green Business designation program website.
Saint Martin’s University is an independent coeducational university, with undergraduate and graduate offerings, located on a wooded campus of more than 300 acres in Lacey, Washington. Established in 1895 by the Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, the University is one of 13 Benedictine colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, and the only one west of the Rocky Mountains. Saint Martin’s University prepares students for successful lives through its 29 majors, 11 master’s programs, one doctorate program and five certificate programs spanning the arts and sciences, business, counseling, education, engineering, nursing and leadership. Saint Martin’s welcomes more than 1,300 undergraduate students and 250 graduate students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its Lacey campus, and more students to its extended campus located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
