“Humanity has the ability to make development sustainable—to ensure that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

—The World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987

The Goodnight Family Sustainable Development Program (SD) is an eighteen-year-old academic and outreach program. SD offers students a unique, interdisciplinary opportunity. Through this program students explore concepts from social and natural sciences, as well as the humanities. We blur the boundaries between theory and practice as students pursue their BS or BA degree while discovering how sustainable development is being applied. This approach to learning strengthens the overall educational experience and provides students with the multiple skills and values required for real world leadership.

Sustainability and Sustainable Development is more than just "going green" and environmental awareness. Sustainability means attending to and combining the important areas of environment, economics, and (social) equity-- also known as the "Three EEEs" and the "Triple Bottom Line." Without a coordinated effort addressing each of these functions, Sustainability and Sustainable Development cannot be properly addressed or adequately achieved. At Appalachian State University the Sustainable Development Program works to achieve this by integrating academics with community engagement and outreach.

A generous gift in 2001 from the Goodnight family and Goodnight Brothers Country Ham has greatly assisted SD in its academic, agricultural, and outreach initiatives.