Inaugural Laudato Si’ Challenge Highlights Student Creativity, Research and Action

On April 21, the Center for Catholic Studies, in partnership with University Core, hosted the inaugural Laudato Si’ Challenge in Mooney Hall, inviting undergraduate students to present research-informed, action-oriented responses to pressing environmental challenges in light of Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’. Held on the first anniversary of Pope Francis’s death and on the eve of Earth Day, the challenge offered a fitting opportunity to honor his call to care for our common home through thoughtful, collaborative student leadership.

Seven teams participated: Iron Equity Initiative, Microplastics, Durable Diplos, Loraxes, Sisters of Water, Project Planet and EcoMed. Students competed for team awards of $1,500 for first place, $750 for second place and $500 for third place. Across the day, they addressed topics ranging from plastic pollution and medical waste to iron deficiency, water contamination and the ecological impact of AI data centers, proposing solutions that linked scientific research, ethical reflection and public action. The Center for Catholic Studies congratulates all of the students who competed for the seriousness, creativity and professionalism they brought to the inaugural challenge.

Following the judges’ review, Sisters of Water received first place, Project Planet received second place, Loraxes received third place and Iron Equity Initiative received honorable mention. The recognized students were Carly Hunter, Adeline Hulsey and Bella Kaplan of Sisters of Water; Talynn Diaz, Nicole Uretzky and Zahir Mooring of Project Planet; Amy Kugelman and Floey Seals of Loraxes; and Jack Smith and Aakash Arumugam of Iron Equity Initiative.

The first-place team, Sisters of Water, presented an ecological water-remediation proposal that addressed PFAS and agricultural runoff through vegetative buffers, constructed wetlands, biochar and microbial bioreactors. Project Planet’s second-place proposal focused on the Passaic River, offering a floating smart-garden raft designed to capture waste, support biodiversity and foster local stewardship. Loraxes, which placed third, examined the environmental burden of AI data centers and proposed greater public transparency, recycled-water requirements and reinvestment in local water infrastructure.

The event also drew strong praise from campus leaders and judges. “This event was a wonderful example of how our students are actively participating in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition and Catholic Social Teaching in particular. The challenge participants demonstrated great commitment and creativity, rooted in the principles of Pope Francis’s Laudato Si’,” said Patrick Manning, Ph.D., director of the Center for Catholic Studies. Nancy Enright, Ph.D., director of the University Core, added, “I really enjoyed serving as a judge for the Laudato Si’ Challenge. All the student presentations I witnessed were extremely thoughtful, professional and rooted in the principles of Laudato Si’. The Challenge was a wonderful way to prepare to celebrate Earth Day.”

Reverend Nicholas C. Sertich, S.T.L., director of Campus Ministry and judge of the competition, added, “I was very much impressed by the creativity of our students and their passion for taking concrete steps to creating a more just world for all of God’s creation. I’m proud of the work of our students and am grateful to God for the grace He is working in their minds, hearts and spirits each day here at Seton Hall!” Judges for the inaugural challenge included Judith Stark, Ph.D., Kelly Shea, Ph.D., Linda Karten, Reverend Nicholas C. Sertich, S.T.L., Thomas Seat, Ph.D., Nancy Enright, Ph.D. and Jonathan Heaps, Ph.D.

The Laudato Si’ Challenge created space for students to bring together environmental concern, Catholic social thought and practical problem-solving. In doing so, the event reflected Seton Hall’s commitment to forming students who can respond to the world’s challenges with intellectual seriousness, moral imagination and a genuine sense of responsibility for the common home and the common good. A full program for the event is available here and winners and updates will be posted on the Laudato Si’ Challenge landing page.

Categories: Faith and Service, Research