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For a quarter century, EARTH University’s unique admissions program has sought out extraordinary youth from underprivileged communities in over 40 countries and given them the chance to learn and grow as professionals and, more importantly, as human beings with values and ethics.
The results of EARTH’s efforts are tangible and inspiring: a 2014 impact study funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Guatemala found that our graduates in Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua are fulfilling the University’s mission by making a positive social, environmental and economic impact in their regions, with 97% of them returning to their countries of origin. From rural communities in South America to villages in Africa, our students and graduates are improving labor conditions, starting their own businesses, generating employment, defending biodiversity and promoting sustainable development practices every single day.
Their success – and indeed, EARTH’s success – all starts with you, our trusted friends. We know that you share our belief in education as the most powerful tool we have to illuminate lives, transform our society and protect our planet. With each one of you by our side throughout the years, more than 1,900 leaders of change have had the opportunity to earn an innovative, worldclass education in agricultural science and today are illuminating lives around the world. For all this and more, we thank you.
This year I invite you to celebrate the impact that our extraordinary young people have already had, and at the same time, look forward to the exciting new opportunities that lay ahead on our path to a more just and prosperous future. There has never been a better time to be part of the EARTH community.
José Zaglul
President, EARTH University
President José Zaglul.
On September 23, President José Zaglul represented EARTH at the 2014 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting in New York City. At the 2013 CGI meeting, EARTH announced its Commitment to Action in the form of a feasibility study for an innovative Global Master’s in Health and Sustainable Development, together with the American University of Beirut and The MasterCard Foundation.
Dr. Zaglul was invited to participate in a prestigious event entitled “Pitching for Partnerships” where he presented EARTH’s Commitment to Action before a panel of experts with the goal of spreading awareness and identifying strategic partners for the program.
in the Americas, Africa, the Caribbean and Europe.
STUDENT DISTRUBUTION BY COUNTRIES OF ORIGEN 2015
422
▼
STUDENTS
40%
▼
WOMEN
43
▼
COUNTRIES
Claudia Jerónimo (‘05, Guatemala)
After graduating, Claudia Jerónimo (’05, Guatemala) returned to her native country with a clear goal in mind: work tirelessly to address social issues in the rural and indigenous communities where she grew up. At the Fundacion Tierra Nuestra, Claudia works to empower women by facilitating trainings in food security, gender equality and entrepreneurship, giving them the tools they need to start their own projects, increase the family income and send their children to school. She says of her education, “It was an experience that changed my life.” Claudia remarks that EARTH’s “learning by doing” approach helped her become the self-motivated professional she is today: “The University isn’t trying to make you memorize and repeat lessons, instead they prepare people who are capable of improving things and looking for new information.”
“I think you need to perform actions that benefit as many people as possible, that’s one of the things that influences my work and helps to build fairer, more equitable and less violent societies,” reflects Claudia.
The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Guatemala funded a comprehensive study with the goal of measuring the social, environmental and economic impact of graduates in Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua who were given scholarships by the Norwegian government. The study was carried out by the Research Institute for Development in Education, part of the Iberoamerican University in Mexico City.
ECONOMIC
IMPACT:
94%
work in jobs related to what they studied at EARTH.
74%
work in leadership positions.
92.7%
have participated in initiatives that create jobs.
89.4%
of women graduates are economically active.
77.4%
contribute to raising the average income of rural families.
50%
have created a new business at one time during their career.
17.8%
work in their own business.
SOCIAL
IMPACT:
frequently use strategies to promote community development, increase the incomes of rural families, support marginalized groups, promote social equality, improve work conditions, provide training for farmers and encourage respect for cultural diversity.
85.5%
encourage respect for cultural diversity.
84.7%
promote social equality.
83.1%
contribute to better labor conditions for employees
78.2%
support marginalized groups.
77.2%
promote community development.
ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT:
report having worked in water, soil and waste management and biodiversity conservation.
of graduates promote reforestation and forestry.
Ana Quirós’s farm started over 20 years ago with little more than a crop of medicinal plants and a few cows. Slowly but surely, and with the help of EARTH students, Ana made her dream come true by converting her humble property into a tourist attraction and working farm. “EARTH students helped us change our lives, they trained us and worked with us out in the fields. They came every Wednesday, we developed a work plan, and over time we were able to integrate the farm. It was EARTH students who came up with the idea of selling medicinal soaps,” she explains. In the photo, Ana shows Luis Carazo of EARTH’s Community Development Program her line of natural products called Mizú (meaning “health” in Japanese) that she hand crafts in an on-site laboratory and sells to visiting tourists and researchers. In addition, she has a small restaurant that serves home-grown organic produce. “EARTH has taught and helped us so much, but now it’s our turn to lead. We have to make sure that we are improving every single day,” Ana concludes.
In 2014 alone, EARTH students and the Community Development Program (CDP) impacted more than 2,500 people in the nearby communities of Las Lomas, Verdetica and El Triunfo, with dozens of trainings in agricultural best practices, food processing and entrepreneurship. In addition, they installed 14 biodigesters that contain waste, decrease contamination of local water sources and produce clean, free gas for cooking and heating.
The University’s dedication to local communities is replicated in our graduates: 84% of them return to their countries of origin to fulfill their roles as leaders of change.
• training farmers (57%)
• improving working conditions (47%)
• generating employment (45%)
• increased income for rural families (44%)
• project development (41%)
Approximately 7,500 visitors were exposed to environmental stewardship and sustainability principles.
80% of the solid waste on campus was recycled.
More than 12 tons of organic waste were converted into organic fertilizer and applied to our on-campus crops, which are cooked and served daily at the University cafeteria.
EARTH’s Center for Research and Development in Renewable Energies (CIDER) is the largest and most advanced knowledge transfer center of its kind in Central America. Last year, CIDER provided trainings for nearly 400 farmers, community leaders and government decision makers from around the world.
Additionally, the University’s Carbon Neutral Unit carried out 17 trainings in carbon neutrality for over 250 students and verified six new organizations as C-neutral.
• soil conservation and management (52%)
• water conservation and management (40%)
• waste management (40%)
• conservation and biodiversity (39%)
• organic production (31%)
• increasing efficiency in agricultural production (46%)
• promoting the rational use of agrochemicals (42%)
• soil nutrition and quality (31%)
• integrated pest management (30%)
• projects or actions that help mitigate climate change (26%)
For 25 years, EARTH University has served as an international model for holistic and comprehensive environmental education, having successfully integrated the principles of environmental stewardship and sustainability into the very foundation of our institutional identity.
EARTH students are continually challenged to come up with new and creative ways to reduce, reuse, recycle and create innovative solutions to fortify our production systems against the inevitable threat of climate change.
Joaquín Viquez (’07, Costa Rica) is the founder and owner of Viogaz, a business that designs and installs biodigesters (a technology that transforms human and animal waste into sustainable energy and treats waste water). Apart from promoting sustainable resource management, Joaquín is committed to making sure that the services his company provides “are accessible to businesses both large and small.” His company currently employs five people, including a fellow EARTH graduate, and has offered its services to more than 30 businesses and farmers in Costa Rica, Honduras, Guatemala and Nigeria.
The education Joaquín received at EARTH helped sharpen the technical and entrepreneurial skills he had developed while watching his parents run their own small business. It also imbued a large dose of social and environmental responsibility, notes Joaquin: “When you study at EARTH, there is this feeling that is always under the surface that is difficult to describe. It is a message that makes you want to create something and generate a positive impact in the lives of others, the community and the environment. It is what you think about every time you make a decision.”
Investing in one EARTH graduate creates nearly four jobs in the developing world.
20% of alumni have created their own or family business by their 15th class reunion.
Among graduates with their own or family business, 77% report that they have created jobs.
• development of new projects (50%)
• administrative improvements for increased profits (41%)
• diversification of activities (36%)
• development of innovative ventures (35%)
• development of value-added chains (28%)
Our graduates have told us time and again that EARTH’s Entrepreneurial Projects Program is one of the most valuable components of our innovative curriculum – and with good reason. EARTH is the only university in the world that requires each and every student to plan, operate and close a real business venture, all while maintaining the highest standard of ethical best practices.
This incredibly dynamic learning experience helps to fuel our alumni’s entrepreneurial spirit.
The finalists are from Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and Nicaragua and received seed money to implement and/or expand upon their innovative projects in environmental education and awareness, sustainable business, resilient agriculture, renewable energy, energy efficiency and water resource management.
The Greenovator contest is part of the ECOIN initiative, an intergenerational environmental stewardship conference that convenes youth and world leaders to discuss and find solutions to combat climate change. ECOIN will be held on EARTH’s campus in 2015.
Fatumah Birungi (’17, Uganda) The MasterCard Foundation Scholar
I feel like I am where I was destined to be, in my heart I just want to thank EARTH University for all that I have learned.”
Fatumah Birungi (’17, Uganda) The MasterCard Foundation Scholar
At the end of 2014, gifts and pledges to the 25th Anniversary Campaign total $75.5 million, leaving a balance of $14.5 million to be raised in 2015.
EARTH is deeply grateful to the hundreds of donors across the globe who share our excitement about the true impact of an EARTH education.
| Income | |
|---|---|
| Tuition payments and scholarship donations | $ 7,104.8 |
| Other income (special projects, commercial activities, other donations) | $ 4,442.5 |
| EARTH Endowment | $ 6,317.8 |
| $ 17,865.1 |
| EXPENSES | |
|---|---|
| Compensation and benefits for administrative and operational personnel | $ 6,296.6 |
| Compensation and benefits for faculty and senior administrative staff | $ 4,481.6 |
| Operational expenses | $ 4,391.1 |
| Equipment investment and replacement | $ 827.6 |
| Contingencies | $17.9 |
| Fundraising | $1,850.3 |
| $ 17,865.1 |
| ASSETS | |
|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ 1,835,738 |
| Prepaid expenses, deposits and other receivables | $ 39,025 |
| Receivable from EARTH | $ 123,389 |
| Pledge receivable, net | $ 4,830,684 |
| Endowment pledges receivable, net | $ 2,804,422 |
| Endowment and other investments | $ 21,177,712 |
| Cash surrender value of life insurance | $ 306,382 |
| Property and equipment, net | $ 63,723 |
| $ 31,181,075 |
| LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS | |
|---|---|
| Liabilities | |
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ 63,051 |
| Advance from EARTH | $ 101,489 |
| Scholarships payable to EARTH | $ 69,412 |
| Payable to EARTH Trust | $ 20,563 |
| $ 254,515 |
| Net assets | |
|---|---|
| Unrestricted | |
| Board designated for endowment | $ 175,000 |
| Available for operations | $ 1,780,425 |
| Temporarily restricted | $ 6,488,170 |
| Permanently restricted | $ 22,482,965 |
| $ 30,926,560 | |
| $ 31,181,075 |
| Programs | Administrative | Fundraising | Total Expenses | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salaries and benefits | $ 418,782 | $ 182,368 | $ 386,067 | $ 987,217 |
| Consulting services | $ 1,363 | $ 8,679 | $ 24,038 | $ 34,080 |
| Professional services | $ 4,983 | $ 53,703 | $ 7,986 | $ 66,672 |
| Office expenses | $ 43,088 | $ 55,433 | $ 80,667 | $ 179,188 |
| Travel and board meetings | $ 20,348 | $ 64,455 | $ 99,277 | $ 184,080 |
| Scholarships | $ 2,066,810 | – | – | $ 2,066,810 |
| Project and program expense | $ 1,465,546 | $ 117,249 | – | $ 1,582,795 |
| TOTAL | $ 4,020,920 | $ 481,887 | $ 598,035 | $ 5,100,842 |
The trust and partnership we receive from our internship sponsors across the globe makes it possible for every third-year EARTH student to gain invaluable work and life experience through a 15-week professional internship in the field of their choice.
Student Kevaughn Bonner (’15, Jamaica)
Student Kevaughn Bonner (’15, Jamaica) is from the rural farming community of Ritches in Clarendon Parrish. Last year, he completed his 15-week internship at Allied Farms, an organic project located in his native Jamaica that is run by fellow EARTH graduate Luis Rojas Corrales (‘11, Costa Rica). Responsible for a wide variety of projects that included hydroponic systems optimization, plant nursery management and geographic referencing, Kevaughn collaborated with local farmers to meet his goals. “Every day I worked with my fellow Jamaicans and they are wonderful people, but there are always challenges in sharing new ideas and getting people to accept them.” He adds, “The whole community development aspect at EARTH helps you to be patient, tolerant and teaches you how to explain complicated, technical knowledge in a way that anybody can understand it. It teaches you how to be creative and use what you already have to get something done. It really helped me a lot.” After graduation, Kevaughn plans to return home and “Implement my own business in my community to create some new jobs, perhaps in horticulture or commercial aquaponics. I want to see how much of a difference I can make in my country.”
We recognize and appreciate the generous support of the following donors whose gifts were received from January 1-December 31, 2014. These individuals, businesses, foundations, governments and international organizations make the continued fulfillment of our mission possible.
EARTH Supporter for 20+ Consecutive Years • EARTH Supporter for 15+ Consecutive Years
EARTH Supporter for 10+ Consecutive Years • EARTH Supporters for 5+ Consecutive Years • * Multi-year commitment
Cynthia and Stephen Isaf*
Kalsec, Inc.
Your generosity made it possible for EARTH to provide scholarships for outstanding students from underserved communities, supply cuttingedge technology for all of our classrooms and laboratories and increase our multicultural awareness and campus integration projects.
With your support, the University was able to recruit and retain talented new faculty and staff while offering them competitive compensation and access to ongoing professional development opportunities.
Your gift in 2014 allowed us to maintain and expand our essential programs, including: the Entrepreneurial Projects Program, the Community Development Program, the Peri-Urban Garden Module, the Integrated Organic Farm and EARTH-La Flor.
Gifts to EARTH made it possible for us to keep the lights on, computers humming and banana trains running all day long, in
addition to maintaining the roads, bridges and infrastructure on our two expansive campuses.
Tim Solso, President, IN, USA
Alan Kelso, Vice President, Costa Rica
Pedro E. León Azofeifa, Secretary, Costa Rica
Ana Regina Aguirre de Riojas, Guatemala
Abdallah Alaoui, Morocco
Anne Slaughter Andrew, MD, USA
Marisa Brenninkmeyer, UK
Franklin Chang-Díaz, Costa Rica
Francis Durman, Costa Rica
Carlos Enrique González Pinto, Costa Rica
Olav Kjorven, Norway
Randal Teague, VA, USA
Isabel Abreu, Dominican Republic
Salvador Alemañy, Puerto Rico
†Rodolfo Cortes R., Costa Rica
†Jorge Manuel Dengo O., Costa Rica
†Hernán Fonseca, Costa Rica
†Eduardo King Carr, Brazil
Luis Alberto Monge Álvarez, Costa Rica
†José Elias Sanchez, Honduras
†Glen Taggart, USA
Randal Teague, President, VA, USA
Randi Yoder, Vice President, MN, USA
G. Richard Fletcher, CA, USA
Mark Ohrstrom, VA, USA
Tim Solso, IN, USA
†Norman A. Brown, USA
Mark Ohrstrom, Chairman, VA, USA
Therus Kolff, Treasurer, UT, USA
Kent Alexander, GA, USA
Ross Arnold, GA, USA
Claire Arnold, GA, USA
Joshua Arnow, NY, USA
Michael Besancon, CA, USA
Jane Black, GA, USA
Mark S. Brouse, UT, USA
Kathleen Colson, VT, USA
Lynn Hoffman-Brouse, UT, USA
Ronald Hoge, CA, USA
Alan Kelso, Costa Rica
Sylvia de Leon, DC, USA
Gustavo Manrique, Ecuador
Tim Solso, IN, USA
Randi Yoder, MN, USA
John M. Bridgeland, President, VA, USA
Ashleigh Black, DC, USA
Jane Black, GA, USA
Carlos Gustavo Cano, Colombia
Ernesto Castegnaro, Costa Rica
Richard M. Foster, MI, USA
Abdulsalam Haykal, Syria
Whitney MacMillan, MN, USA
Elke Ruge, UK
Malcolm W. Wilson, CO, USA
Ann Kerr-Adams, CA,
USA
Edward Brenninkmeyer, President, Brazil
Coco Brenninkmeyer, UK
Caily Bridgeland, VA, USA
José Mauricio Cano, Colombia
Olli Coupe, Australia
Will Dunn, CA, USA
Sofia Englund, CA, USA
Paula Ferraz, Brazil
Amanda Hawila, UK/Costa Rica
Elena Hawila, UK/Costa Rica
Dia Haykal, United Arab Emirates
Davar Irvani, GA, USA
Adam Klopp, DC, USA
Chris Kobes, VA, USA
José López Sánchez, Dominican Republic
Cameron McLain, CA, USA
Sophie Morrison, NY, USA
Alishba Patel, NY, USA
Lily Rubino, NY, USA
Shukri Shammas, Lebanon
Joshua Stroman, MA, USA
Jonney Taee, NY, USA
Alex Ward, UK
Johnny Winn, UK
Luc Ziegler, VA, USA
José Zaglul, President
Daniel Sherrard, Provost
Gerardo Mirabelli, Vice President of Development
Edgar Alvarado, Dean
Patricia Loría, Finance
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EARTH University
P.O. Box 4442-1000
San José, Costa Rica
Phone: (506) 2713-0000
3525 Piedmont Road NE8
Piedmont Center, Suite 520
Atlanta, GA 30305
Phone: (404) 995-1230