Social Responsibility at Smith

Undergraduates and the Society for Green Business

The two Smith undergraduates who founded the Society for Green Business prove it’s never too late to make a difference. Gavin Christiansen, marketing, and Brandon Moffitt, marketing and logistics, didn’t let their May 2008 graduation dates stop them from changing their community for the better.

“There isn’t any curriculum or any student involvement geared toward sustainable business,” says Christiansen. “I saw the need for a club to unite students who share those beliefs, and pitched the idea to a former roommate. Within two weeks, we had everything set up.”

Club membership is open to any University of Maryland student, since Christiansen and Moffitt believe “social responsibility in business applies to everyone.” However, Smith students are encouraged to participate because they are the business leaders of tomorrow. The organization encourages sustainability through campus-wide events and community service.

The club will sponsor career fairs featuring local companies who have taken the initiative to be “sustainable and green.” A majority of the organization’s members are freshmen and sophomores, and Christiansen believes a career fair will be of great assistance during their internship hunts.

Ultimately, Christiansen hopes the club will continue to grow and expand its reach through the College Park community. He also wants to see the Society for Green Business working alongside the Smith School of Business to improve sustainability and efficiency practices.

“What’s most important right now, though, is to set up and document all of the things we’re doing so it can be passed on to next year’s leadership,” he says. “We really want people who are passionate and want to learn about sustainability, because we have a chance for every member to get something valuable out of the club.”