Lauren Tikusis (Economics 2006): "I came to Marquette with a strong interest in the environment and knew that I wanted to pursue it further. However, I really had no idea what route I wanted to go. After many hours of searching through the undergrad bulletin, I was impressed with the Environmental Ethics minor and the classes that were offered. Being an Economics major in the Arts and Sciences school, I knew I had a lot of electives and general core classes that I could choose on my own. My decision to start the environmental ethics minor was even easier after I saw how flexible and supportive Dr. Schaefer and Dr. Goldin were. One of the classes of the minor actually conflicted with another course in the minor, so Dr. Schaefer worked with me to get the credit as an independent study. It ended up being a graduate level online course and it was amazing! Dr. Goldin also worked independently with myself and two others to complete another class for the minor. Throughout the minor, I encountered issues that I had always had some knowledge of but had now been able to encounter and interpret them on much different levels. The diverse classes offered were a chance to grasp environmental issues within the realm of philosophy, theology, science, and even economics. These classes were essential to the education that I wanted to receive at Marquette. They have affected my personal and professional life, forcing me to always rethink the decisions I face daily."
Drew Albright (Biology 2006): "Pursuing the Environmental Ethics minor ws one of the better decisions I made at Marquette. Dr. Goldin and Dr. Schaefer (co-directors of the minor) are amazing. I certainly would not have completed the minor without their guidance and support. When a course was unavailable, Dr. Goldin held an independent course in his office for me and two other students. Their dedication to their students' success is incredible. Of course, the minor itself is very cool, too. As an interdisciplinary minor, it offers a variety of courses that really did enhance my Marquette Experience and the values I acquired here. Understanding your environment and how you want to interact with it is an integral step towards change. At the same time, realize we're all in this thing together. Understanding views that may conflict with your own is equally as important. I know I will use my own understanding that I developed through the course work of the Environmental Ethics minor as I go forth to serve the world. So, whether you aspire to save the world, or just want a better understanding of the human/nature bond, contact Dr. Goldin or Dr. Schaefer and they will help you make it happen!"
Joe Pedersen (Business 2005): "My participation in Marquette University's interdisciplinary environmental ethics minor was instrumental in exposing me to the ecological conscience that has become increasingly important in today's world. I believe that every person should have an awareness of the ethical necessity for environmental stewardship due to our world's current lack of social responsibility toward the environment. Through effective learning mechanisms such as in-depth class discussions, "broadening" reading material, and a culminating capstone seminar, my post-graduate understanding of current environmental issues is comprehensive and accomplished. Global warming, deforestation, and the overuse of non-renewable resources are just a few of the many ecological issues plaguing our planet. I am confident that, with the knowledge base that I have attained from this minor, I will have the tools necessary to proactively develop solutions to some of our world's most pressing environmental issues."
Chris Petrauskis (Engineering 2004): "I'm a 2004 graduate of Marquette University and proud alum of the Environmental Ethics minor. My entire outlook on the world has been heightened through class discussions on how our interaction with the natural world shapes each and every discipline of study from Philosophy to Economics. Currently living in Lusaka, Zambia where every resident is affected by poverty, deforestation, polluted waters, erosion, climate change, and rising oil prices, the phrase "environmental crises" suddenly becomes a life and death reality that must be addressed. Realize that true environmentalism is not the rich, white, left-wing fight to protect exclusive wilderness areas but the daily struggle by the poor and oppressed to access basic needs from the earth in a sustainable manner.
"Please weave this environmental ethic minor into your schedule, for someday you will realize that lofty concepts such as "eco-feminism," "stewardship," and "sustainability" are quite practical and applicable to any profession. Or maybe one-day you will find yourself in Sub-Saharan Africa planting "vegetable" trees with indigenous women and challenging the Catholic church to become less hierarchical and other-worldly and more inclusive and relevant to life on our finite planet."
Craig Pierce (Business 2004): "Marquette's Interdisciplinary Minor in Environmental Ethics (INEE) has had a significant impact upon my collegiate and post-graduate experiences. As a business and marketing major, this minor exposed me to a unique and important perspective that I did not find in my other coursework. The INEE minor pulls from several academic fields - philosophy, theology, biology, economics, etc. - to create a well-balanced interdisciplinary approach to an ethical understanding of society's relationship with the environment. Yet, perhaps more importantly, my experiences show that this minor serves as a critical component to my own balanced understanding of the environment and the world. "In application, the INEE minor exposed me to several volunteer opportunities in Milwaukee, including the Urban Ecology Center. Although my current employment does not pertain directly to the environment, I am still applying ideas and concepts gathered from this minor."