Winthrop’s environmental sustainability efforts were be rewarded at the April 16 inaugural Green Awards ceremony, held at the Charlotte Convention Center. The awards, co-presented by the Charlotte Business Journal and the U.S. Green Building Council Charlotte region chapter, honored individuals, businesses, government leaders and entities, and non-profit organizations that incorporate environmentally sustainable practices into their businesses and community work. The Lois Rhame West Health, Physical Education and Wellness Center was honored in the green commercial new construction project category. With its leading-edge environmentally conscious features, the West Center, which opened in September 2007, is both the largest and the most energy-efficient building on Winthrop’s main campus. "Winthrop is honored to be one of the first recipients of the Green Award," said Walter Hardin, associate vice president for facilities management. "This university has a history of pushing the envelope in quality and efficiency across all programs and facilities. We are proud to be among the first public higher education schools to open a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design facility."