Colin A. Maldonado was a 2013 graduate of Georgia College, with a major in environmental science and a minor in geology. He was President of the Environmental Science Club, a leader for the GC Wellness and Recreation Center climbing wall and a member of the Bike Polo team. Maldonado was an activist and a visualist; he employed his heart and his education to manifest a better world for all of us. During his senior year, Maldonado developed the GC Bike Plan, including designs for bike paths and a bike share program. Maldonado passed away from a tragic infection while living and learning about sustainability in action at a spiritual center in Costa Rica in 2014. The Environmental Science Club and the GC Sustainability Council created the Maldonado Environmental Hero Award in 2014 to honor his determination, faith, optimism and kindness. The award is given to recognize a Georgia College student/graduate who best exemplifies Maldonado’s belief that individuals can make a difference and help us attain a sustainable future.
Past recipients of the Maldonado Environmental Hero Award
- Colin Maldonado, 2014
- Paul Murray, 2015
- Cayla Sheehan, 2016
- Emma Brodzik & Andrew Wright, 2017
- Megan Goetz & Rachel Nabors, 2018
- Nick Palmer, 2019
- Gabriela Lopez, 2020
- , 2021
Georgia College Green Initiative 