Third annual festival expands in scale and reach, blending student leadership, community engagement, and measurable environmental progress
Presbyterian College’s Earth Day celebration continued its upward trajectory this week, drawing students, families, and community members to campus for a day marked by hands-on learning, live music, and a deepening commitment to sustainability.
Now in its third year, the annual Earth Day Festival—held April 22 in front of Neville Hall—has evolved from a small campus gathering into a signature event that reflects both the college’s environmental initiatives and its growing connection with the surrounding community.
From free plants and tie-dye stations to music and educational booths hosted by student organizations, the event offered a lively and interactive atmosphere. But beyond the festivities, organizers said the day underscored something more significant: the steady growth of a campus culture centered on environmental responsibility.
“We’ve had a really great response,” said Dr. Sabrina Moore, assistant professor of biology and one of the event’s organizers. “I’ve spoken to members of the community who brought their kids out—even for birthday celebrations—and they’ve been coming for the last three years. That’s been really amazing to see.”
Moore said the return of familiar faces—both students and community members—was one of the most rewarding aspects of the day.
“Students I’ve been teaching for the last three years showed up, and they knew what to expect with all the free plants and music,” she said. “It’s been great. We’ve had some really great conversations.”
Student Leadership at the Forefront
At the center of the festival were the students themselves, whose projects and initiatives formed the backbone of the event.
Among them was sophomore Ezra Marks of Aiken, S.C., a biology major with an environmental studies minor who played a critical role in one of the festival’s most popular features: the free plant giveaway.
Marks, who manages the college greenhouse, grew every plant distributed at the event from seed.
I want to go into regenerative agriculture and help reconnect people to their food. A lot of people don’t realize how their food is grown, and even giving someone a tomato plant helps them take part in that.”
Ezra Marks ’28
“I basically manage all the greenhouse work,” Marks said. “I grow all the plants from seed, take care of them throughout the semester, and then we bring them out to give away for free at events like this.”
For Marks, the experience of seeing those plants leave campus and enter the community carries a personal significance.
“It’s really nice,” he said. “It’s kind of like dropping your kid off for college—you hope they make good choices. I set them up with the best soil and water I can to give them the best start.”
His work reflects a broader mission that extends beyond the greenhouse. Inspired by a lifelong connection to gardening—sparked by his grandmother—Marks hopes to pursue a future in regenerative agriculture.
“I want to go into regenerative agriculture and help reconnect people to their food,” he said. “A lot of people don’t realize how their food is grown, and even giving someone a tomato plant helps them take part in that.”
Measurable Impact Beyond the Festival
While the festival itself offered a snapshot of sustainability in action, data from the college’s Eco Hub program demonstrated the tangible progress being made behind the scenes.
According to the 2026 Eco Hub report, campus dining locations Freshens and Starbucks have contributed more than 4,130 pounds of organic matter to composting efforts since August 2025. In addition, the program has shredded approximately 1,700 pounds of cardboard, reflecting a growing commitment to waste reduction.
The Eco Hub has also expanded its reach beyond campus operations. Seven local families now participate in composting through the program, contributing to a total of 2,100 pounds of collected material. A newer partnership with The Lumberyard has added another 300 pounds in just 12 weeks.
The introduction of cardboard recycling on campus marks another step forward, reinforcing the college’s broader sustainability goals.
Together, these efforts illustrate a shift from awareness to action—one that Moore said is central to the event’s purpose.
A Celebration Rooted in Community
The day’s activities began earlier with the planting of two trees on campus, a symbolic gesture that set the tone for the festival’s environmental focus.
By the afternoon, the space in front of Neville Hall had transformed into a hub of activity, with students and community members engaging in conversations about sustainability, environmental stewardship, and the role individuals can play in reducing waste.
The celebration extended beyond campus later in the day with “Vinyl Vibes: Dance & Plants,” an evening event held at The Lumberyard in downtown Clinton. Featuring music, a plant market, and interactive activities, the event brought the energy of Earth Day into the broader community.
For Moore, the continued growth of the festival is both encouraging and deeply personal.
“This was one of the things I was most excited to start when I came to PC,” she said. “It’s really just a celebration—a chance for people to come together, learn about what we’re doing, and celebrate the work we’re doing as a community.”
Looking Ahead
As Presbyterian College’s Earth Day celebration continues to expand, its success lies not only in attendance or activities, but in the lasting impact it creates.
From composting programs that divert thousands of pounds of waste to students like Marks who are cultivating both plants and purpose, the event reflects a campus increasingly defined by its commitment to sustainability.
What began as a modest gathering has grown into a tradition—one that bridges campus and community, education and action, and individual effort with collective impact.
And if this year’s celebration is any indication, its roots are only getting stronger.
