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������ Geauga in conjunction with the Cleveland Foundation will host a Common Ground conversation on Sunday, June 30, 2019. The event is at Kent State Geauga, located at 14111 Claridon Troy Road, Burton, OH. The event will open at noon with a light lunch, followed by a presentation and conversation. Registration is free, but an  is required.

The discussion topic this year is “Our environment was, our environment is, and our environment will be.” Kent State Geauga will be looking at sustainability and solar power from two angles. The first from the perspective of the University and the other from Hank Penttila, local architect and Kent State '72, and Jacqueline Samuel, Burton resident, who together have designed and built the first Net Zero home in Geauga County. 

As a large University with eight campuses, Kent State is always looking for ways to lessen our impact on the environment. “The Office of Sustainability works on a range of initiatives including transportation options, waste and recycling, stormwater, and energy, as well as community engagement and incorporating sustainability into the curriculum.”  Melanie Knowles, Sustainability Manager, said. 

Mr. Penttila has been a registered architect in the state of Ohio for over 40 years. “It is our belief that environmentally and socially responsible architecture produces a healthy and prosperous society,” said Penttila. Jacqueline Samuel partnered with Mr. Penttila to make her vision of an environmentally friendly, Net-Zero Home a reality.  One component of her home is solar power. “Once equipped, a solar house produces free energy without pollution,” Samuel said, “A win-win solution!”

“We are looking forward to hosting this Common Ground Conversation,” Angela Spalsbury, Ph.D., Dean of Kent State Geauga said. “We hope it gets people talking about what they can do to protect the environment.”