RELEASED: Aug. 7, 2003

DANVILLE, KY—When Samantha White came to campus the fall of 2000, she needed a job. Her advisor, Endre Nyverges, associate professor of anthropology, had the perfect one in mind for her—working for the recycling center on campus.

Now the rising senior, a double major in anthropology/sociology and history, is the student supervisor of the recycling program. White, who is from Owensboro, Ky., was in her second semester at Centre when the previous student supervisor graduated, opening the door for her. She says it was tough at first, but that she has learned a lot from the experience.

"The problems I've had have taught me more about people," she said. "And helped build my patience."

This summer, White picks up the recyclables once or twice weekly at each of the more than 100 bins located on campus. She also looks for strategic locations to place new bins so that faculty, staff and students will use them. She makes sure each bin is properly labeled so that she doesn't have to re-sort the recyclables later.

White will have some help in the fall when Centre students return. She's hired three student-workers that she'll supervise.

"One thing I learned is that paper is the heaviest ever," White said. "You wouldn't expect it to be."

Centre has recycling bins for paper, aluminum and plastic. White wants to add glass and newspaper. Bins are located in residence halls, academic buildings and in the Greek houses.

"Participation in the recycling program has improved [because there is more awareness]," White said. "Hopefully when I come back to campus the program will be strong and I can look at it and know I made a difference."

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