Holy Cross political science major Preston Richard and Katherine Barrett, an assistant professor of biology, are leading the inaugural Environmental Research Coalition (ERC) Symposium in South Bend April 12.

Holy Cross College students and faculty will lead in the inaugural Environmental Research Coalition (ERC) Symposium, a groundbreaking April 12 event aimed at fostering collaboration between academia and the South Bend community.

The symposium, held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the St. Joseph County Public Library Community Learning Center, will feature research presentations, community discussions, and a focus on key environmental issues in the region. 

Organized by the Environmental Research Coalition (ERC), the forum will serve as a bridge between academic institutions and local organizations, ensuring that environmental research directly supports community needs. The symposium is supported by a grant awarded to Katherine Barrett by the Community Engaged Alliance, which will help launch the ERC this academic year. Barrett is an assistant professor of biology at Holy Cross and has initiated efforts to track the quality of marine life in the St. Joseph River with her students. 

“One of the greatest gifts of my teaching and partnership with community partners is bearing witness to the formation of our students as informed, engaged citizens who want to bring hope to our communities,” Barrett said. “Our upcoming symposium on April 12 is a celebration of student, faculty, and community member accomplishments in the domains of environmental science and public. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with motivated students, faculty, and community collaborators,” 

Barrett has been accompanied on the journey by an industrious Holy Cross student who has an innate passion for improving the quality of life in Northern Indiana. 

“I loved everything about this and what they’re trying to do,” said Preston Richard, a 20-year-old political science major from South Bend who has been a key intern on the project. “I’ve loved this internship, and I’ve learned what I wanted in a job—that I contribute to something greater, the community.” 

Richard has played a pivotal role in the success of planning the event, which is expected to attract leaders from throughout the region. Richard built the event’s website, crafted promotional strategies to engage the broader community, and been a galvanizing force for organization. 

“Preston has been so innovative with the way he’s thinking outside the box, expanding our outreach,” Barrett said. 

There will also be an oral presentation on lead research in the community, led by two HCC students who took Zhutian Zhang, a Lecturer of Chemistry at Holy Cross College, research class last year. 

Shaping the Future of Environmental Research 

The symposium will feature: 

  • Student Presentations highlighting innovative environmental research. 
  • Community Partner Priorities, aligning research with local sustainability efforts. 
  • A Research Showcase, highlighting projects that address climate change, public health, natural history, and more. 

This year’s focus areas include:
  

  • Local ecology 
  • Environmental science 
  • Energy and buildings 
  • Natural history 
  • Climate change 
  • Environmental justice 
  • Public health 

Keynote Speakers 

Gary Sieber – Opening Keynote at 11:30 a.m. 

Gary Sieber co-anchors 16 News Now Saturday Morning and is known as Michiana’s poetic weather forecaster. He also taught Broadcast Journalism, Ethics, and Law at the University of Notre Dame from 1991 to 2021.  

 

Evie Kirkwood – Closing Keynote at 3 p.m. 

Kirkwood hosts a weekly webisode of Outdoor Elements on PBS Michiana, where she explores the region’s parks, lakes, forests, dunes, and more. 

 

Panel Discussion  

A discussion will be held with leaders from the City of South Bend and St Joseph County Health Department.