(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081219/LAF051)

"This is a special moment for our School and for the university," saidCharles Redman, director of the School of Sustainability. "We are very excitedto see Brigitte graduate and look forward to her leading a long procession offuture graduates who become agents of change in our community and around theworld."

The graduate ranks as somewhat of a pioneer herself in this budding field.Bavousett was among the first to enroll in the School of Sustainability afterit was formally established in fall 2007 by the Arizona Board of Regents. "Iam honored to be making history as the first sustainability graduate," shesaid. "It seems only a few weeks ago that I began this fantastic journey withmy classmates and professors. I love the variety of the curriculum, thefantastic faculty, the interdisciplinary projects."

Bavousett's degree goes far beyond traditional environmental studies. TheSchool's curriculum draws on a variety of academic disciplines that can beapplied to the world's economic, societal, and environmental challenges,preparing graduates to understand complex problems and find real solutions.According to Redman, "Sustainability has captured ASU by storm and we expectits graduates to transform our country."

During her time at the School, Bavousett has been involved in a variety ofresearch projects with businesses and other organizations. One projectinvolved U-Haul International, where she researched forestation processes andnon-profit partnership options to help the company create a plan to reduce itscarbon footprint through carbon sequestration. U-Haul has extended Bavousett'sinternship indefinitely as it begins implementation of the plan.

"Brigitte has provided the personal interest, enthusiasm, and the mostcutting-edge knowledge needed to further enhance our sustainability projectshere at U-Haul," said Michelle Sullivan of U-Haul International's Phoenixcorporate offices. "She has been a tremendous asset to our department."

A working mother, Bavousett said she has long had an interest insustainability and was involved in fostering societal sustainability beforeshe even knew what it was. Previously, as the founding director of aninternational cultural exchange program, she toured former Soviet countriesand the U.S. for six years, exposing performers and audiences to new customsand traditions while bringing theater to sometimes culturally-starvedaudiences.

Looking forward to finding a job after her graduation, Bavousett feelsprepared and confident. "I may have to be creative in this economy," she says,"but I feel comfortable with the foundation of skill sets and cutting-edgetechnologies the School has given me."

About ASU's School of Sustainability

ASU's School of Sustainability, the first of its kind in the US, offersintegrated degree programs that advance practical solutions to environmental,economic, and social challenges. ASU has a vision to be a New AmericanUniversity, blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academicdisciplines, promoting excellence among its students and faculty, conductingcutting-edge interdisciplinary research inspired by real world application,and leveraging its competitive advantage through strategic global engagement.The School's first full class of masters and doctoral students will graduatein spring 2009. For more information visit:http://schoolofsustainability.asu.edu.

About ASU's Global Institute of Sustainability

The Global Institute of Sustainability is the hub of ASU's sustainabilityinitiatives. The Institute advances research, education, and businesspractices for an urbanizing world. Its School of Sustainability, the first ofits kind in the US, offers integrated degree programs that advance practicalsolutions to environmental, economic, and social challenges. ASU has a visionto be a New American University, blurring the boundaries that traditionallyseparate academic disciplines, promoting excellence among its students andfaculty, conducting cutting-edge interdisciplinary research inspired by realworld application, and leveraging its competitive advantage through strategicglobal engagement. For more information visit: http://sustainability.asu.edu.

SOURCE Global Institute of Sustainability