Benedictine College Extends Environmental Commitment to Graduation

Graduates Select Biodegradable Regalia

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Atchison, Kan. – (May 14, 2015) – Benedictine College has extended its commitment to environmental sustainability by selecting Jostens Elements Collection™ graduation regalia. In making the decision, school officials considered the desire for students to celebrate the Benedictine graduation tradition, knowing that the graduation attire was created with concern and respect for the environment. Approximately 400 students will debut the Elements Collection™ caps and gowns at graduation ceremonies held at in the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium on the college’s Atchison campus on May 16, 2015.

More than 350 Benedictine College students participated in the “make a difference” project by entering a special code from the tag on their gowns. Jostens donated $1 to The Nature Conservancy for every code entered.

Benedictine College has instituted a variety of “green” initiatives over the years, from tree planting to recycling programs. In honor of 1964 graduate Wangari Maathai, who won the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize, students, faculty and staff planted hundreds of trees on campus and around Atchison. The Student Government Association’s Campus Development Committee also took up the environmental cause and students formed a new Sustainability Club to work toward a greener campus.

Jostens Elements Collection™ has been widely accepted by graduates and school communities for its strong environmental considerations as the only graduation regalia fabric scientifically proven to biodegrade. The fabric used in Jostens Elements Collection™ cap, gown and hood shell has also achieved the USDA Biobased Product Certification. The certification is issued by the United States Department of Agriculture confirming that a product contains a verifiable amount of renewable biological ingredients. As a premium product, the Elements Collection™ regalia fabric also possesses excellent drape and superior comfort due to its softness and breathability. More details about the entire Jostens Elements Collection™ graduation regalia, including information about the testing protocol and results related to the environmental benefits of Jostens Elements Collection™, is available online at www.jostens.com/elements.

“The USDA Biobased Product Certification and biodegradability characteristics of Jostens Elements Collection™ regalia provide an environmentally responsible choice for schools,” said Rich Stoebe, Director of Communications, Jostens. “We are extremely pleased to extend assurance and transparency in support of the sustainability decisions made by customers.”

About Benedictine College

Founded in 1858, Benedictine College is a Catholic, Benedictine, residential, liberal arts college located on the bluffs above the Missouri River in Atchison, Kansas.  The school is proud to have been named one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report as well as one of the top Catholic colleges in the nation by First Things magazine and the Newman Guide.  It prides itself on outstanding academics, extraordinary faith life, strong athletic programs, and an exceptional sense of community and belonging.  It has a mission to educate men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.

 

About Jostens

Minneapolis-based Jostens is a provider of products, programs and services that help people celebrate important moments, recognize achievements and build affiliation. The Company’s products include school yearbooks and other memory book products, scholastic products such as class rings and graduation products, and products for athletic champions and their fans. Jostens is a subsidiary of Visant Corporation, a marketing and publishing services enterprise servicing the school affinity, direct marketing, fragrance and cosmetics sampling and educational and trade publishing segments. 

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