Recent growth in green business ventures and environmentally sustainable practices suggest that future economic opportunities?for both individuals and cities?will be heavily influenced by environmental concerns. The school?s formation is the realization of Bellarmine?s commitment to educate students for the 21st century, as well as its mission to enhance the intellectual, social, and environmental quality of life in the region. The formation of the School of Environmental Studies is an important step toward the realization of Vision 2020, the institution?s bold plan to be the premier independent Catholic university in the South and the leading private university in the region. ?