NEWS

A year ago, Alex Van Mecl stood in front of 50 students as he spoke to them about being environmentally conscious. He was leading the first meeting of Mission Green Student Association, which gets students involved in sustainability efforts. They work to get FAU to go green through recycling programs and events. Now, the sophomore, majoring in urban and regional planning, has left what he started so he can meditate, practice karate and write screenplays.

“I still question whether or not I should be doing this, but deep down inside I know there are things I want to accomplish,” Van Mecl said.

It seems that after more than a year of building Mission Green up from nothing, Van Mecl is looking for some time to himself. He explained that starting Mission Green was difficult because the organization needed to have a strong presence on campus. With help from administrators, Van Mecl created that presence by networking, reaching out to students and hosting events.

Mission Green went from 50 members at its first meeting to a core group of 60 regular attendees and a mailing list of more than 500 students. The organization has bolstered FAU’s Green Report Card up from a “C-” to a “B-.” They’ve started dorm-wide recycling programs along with the planting of trees.

Now, Van Mecl has handed over his green baby to freshman Samantha Koempel.”Alex sees a lot of himself in me, and that is important because he is such a determined and energetic person. He knows that I am ready to change the world,” Koempel said.
The geology major has been a part of Mission Green since August of last year. After an interview with Vice President Josef Newman, she became Mission Green’s human resources officer in late October.

“She’s a little bit over-the-top, and very determined. She’s a freshman, like I was when I started Mission Green,” Van Mecl said.

According to Mission Green rules, their president is chosen through an annual election toward the end of November, and they serve year-long terms. Koempel is taking over this month, so she’ll be up for re-election in November. According to Van Mecl, Koempel’s transfer to presidential power was approved by the vice president.

“I think that this is a great opportunity for Samantha to grow into,” Newman said. He also said he didn’t attempt to shift into the presidency because he’s happy as vice president.
Van Mecl plans to move down to South Beach, where he intends to become more conscious of his overall mind and spirit.

“Of course we’re sad to see Alex go, but at the same time, we support him making decisions for himself. Ultimately, we’re all students, and we need to do what’s important for us,” Newman said.

Before he leaves, though, Van Mecl intends on training Koempel for the presidency.”Beyond showing her the day-to-day routine of running Mission Green, I plan on introducing her to all of the administrators involved so she can re-brand the organization. It’s very much associated with the president’s personality,” Van Mecl said.

Koempel plans on making FAU’s buildings more environmentally friendly. Her biggest goal, though, is to make Mission Green more educational.

“The most important thing for me to do with any event, any meeting and any discussion is to make sure people can walk away with something that makes them think,” Koempel said.

The new Mission Green president also aims to work with FAU’s new president, Mary Jane Saunders, to help the organization reach its goals. Koempel isn’t nervous about taking over after Van Mecl, however.

“If you love what you are doing, how can you be nervous? It will take a lot of work and training with Alex, but I am so ready and excited to fill his shoes!”

A year of achievements

Samantha Koempel has replaced Alex Van Mecl  as Mission Green president. Their list of  accomplishments:

Van Mecl’s top 5:
1.    In April 2009, we helped organize Focus the Nation. It was a green-oriented conversation with business leaders who discussed green jobs and what the green movement means. The mayor attended, and so did representatives of PBCC and FAU.
2.    We helped to reconfigure the recycling program in the dorms and figure out new signage that would be successful in the summer of 2009.
3.    In November, we were included in the planning of Greenfest.
4.    We provided more than 30 student volunteers for Al Gore’s visit to Boca when he lectured at Mizner Park.
5.    Of course, on Feb. 25, we did the tree planting in honor of the Dalai Lama’s visit. We thought that it was appropriate to plant a tree in his honor. It was the conclusion to all of Expressions of Peace Week.
 

Koempel’s top 5:
1.    Hosting Al Gore at Mizner Park in November, he discussed his new book and also had Repower America there.
2.    Attending a Power Shift conference at UCF in October. Power Shift is a movement promoting clean resources and jobs.
3.    We hosted Greenfest on the Breezeway in November as well, where we turned the Breezeway into a “Greenway” and had vendors like Office Depot, Aubrey Organics and Waste Management promoting green living.
4.    The most exciting thing has been the Dalai Lama’s visit, followed by our tree planting in his honor.
5.    Mission Green has gotten involved in the planning for a community garden on campus that’s still in the planning stages.