Findlay, Ohio, Dec. 13, 2002 —Randy Van Dyne, assistant vice president/executive director for the National Center of Excellence for Environmental Management at The University of Findlay, has won the Ohio Alliance for the Environment 2002 Award for Distinguished Service in the Field of Environmental Education in the educator category.

The award was presented during the Ohio Alliance’s 25th annual conference in Columbus Nov. 6-7.

In the early 1980s, Van Dyne saw a growing need for a source of training for professionals in hazardous materials management. At that time, he was director of marketing at OHM Corporation in Findlay, a national emergency response and remediation contractor, and he served on the advisory committee that helped The University of Findlay develop the nation’s first bachelor’s degree program in environmental and hazardous materials management.

As a result, Van Dyne was directly responsible for the development of the Environmental Resource Training Center (ERTC) and the associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in environmental management.

Today, Van Dyne directs the National Center of Excellence for Environmental Management at UF. He also assists in recruitment, program development, fundraising and job placement.

Van Dyne has also developed numerous programs for the Ohio Alliance for the Environment and has served in many leadership roles for the organization. He is also involved in creating environmental education and training programs for professionals with many other organizations in Ohio and nationally.

Each year, the Ohio Alliance for the Environment recognizes the achievements of an educator, organization and individual for a contribution over a lifetime. The Ohio Alliance offers programs with balanced environmental information, opportunities for discussion of diverse points of view on topics and leadership for facilitating constructive solutions to problems.