Phil
Hawn
Phil Hawn is not a typical college student. As an older student with a wife and two daughters, he brings uncommon life experiences and perspectives to his education. A junior independent major in sustainability and environmental studies (SENS), Phil works as a SENS student director. He and his family live in Berea’s Ecovillage, a model sustainable community that provides housing for student families.
Phil spearheaded efforts to construct a building in the Ecovillage using such natural resources as straw, clay, and cordwood and involving simple construction techniques that do not pollute the environment. After graduating from Berea, he plans to do graduate work in architecture and bring natural building techniques to the public’s attention. In 2006, Phil received the Crawford Prize in Conservation for excellence in environmental studies.
“I had taught several dozen workshops on natural building before coming to Berea, but while here I have worked long term on a building project and taught the methods to others. This experience fulfills my desire to make a difference and helps prepare me for more teaching after I graduate.”
QUICK FACTS
- 80% of Berea students are from Appalachia and the rest of Kentucky.
- 19% are African American, and 7% are international students.
- The median income for Berea students’ families in 2006–07 was less than $27,000.
- Every Berea student receives a four-year, full-tuition scholarship, budgeted at up to $23,400 annually.
