On 21 April 2017, COTE announced its 2016-2017 COTE award recipients.

The awards fall into three main categories:

COTE Exemplar Awards recognize individuals or groups with significant accomplishments promoting the sustainable use of natural resources or the protection of ecological systems.

Individuals who have a record of continual significant achievements are further recognized by the awarding of a "COTE Exemplar Lifetime Achievement Award".

COTE Green Initiative Awards recognize everyday activities, decisions or contributions that help to move Ball State University (and its near-surround community) toward sustainability.  Their purpose is to reward discrete contributions rather than a history of multiple accomplishments.

COTE Service Awards recognize past individual service on or to the BSU Council on the Environment.

COTE Award Recipients 2017

COTE Exemplar Award for Lifetime Achievement

Rev. Charles Mason,
Community Member

This Council on the Environment Exemplar Award for Lifetime Achievement is presented in recognition of Reverend Mason's commitment to the Environment and a lifetime of work toward public understanding of the complex issues that bear upon the stewardship of our natural resources. This is demonstrated by example through his extensive public service and advocacy.

COTE Exemplar Award

Kevin Tungesvick,
Spence Restoration Nursery

This Council on the Environment Exemplar Award is presented in recognition of Mr. Tungesvick's commitment to the stewardship of our natural resources and protection of ecological systems
as demonstrated by: providing local genotype plant materials for natural areas and habitat restoration in Indiana, publishing an update of the Flora of Mounds State Park, and participating in the Indiana Academy of Science Annual Bio-Blitz.

COTE Exemplar Award

Oakwood Retreat Center

This Council on the Environment Exemplar Award is presented in recognition of Oakwood Retreat Center's organizational commitment to the stewardship of
our natural resources and protection of ecological systems as demonstrated by: growing organic food for meals, maintaining acres of prairie, and conveying to visitors with its presence that we do not have to travel to the Caribbean or to the Grand Canyon to experience the transcendence of the natural environment.

COTE Service Awards

Barry Banks

Kevin Kenyon

Annette Rose

John Vann