Luther's Center for Sustainable Communities has a new director

Iowa–Luther College religion professor Jim Martin-Schramm has been named the new director of the Center for Sustainable Communities. He serves a three-year term as director, beginning with the current spring semester at the school.

Martin-Schramm is widely published with a focus on ethics and public policy. His latest books include, "Earth Ethics: A Case Method Approach" and a co-edited volume, "Eco-Reformation: Grace and Hope for a Planet in Peril." He actively participates in Luther's sustainability programs and serves on the College Wind Energy Project, LLC board.

"I'm honored to be appointed as the second Director of Luther's Center for Sustainable Communities. I have very big shoes to fill. Jon Jensen did a terrific job while he served in this role over the past six years. As a result, many people on and off-campus view Luther as a leader in the area of sustainability and as a catalyst for change on campus and in the region," he says.

Martin-Schramm has goals to help the Luther community as well as the CSC program. He says, "As a team, we are putting the final touches on a new three-year strategic plan that will guide the work of the Center during my tenure as the new director. We developed the plan through conversations with students, faculty, staff, and community stakeholders over the course of the past year. Major sections of the plan focus on operational sustainability, applied and integrated learning, campus culture and community resilience. We are excited that some of our initiatives dovetail very well with the college's new strategic plan."