When Jamie Kenyon says sustainability matters, what he means is St. Louisans matter.
“The planet is going to be fine. It’s the people who will suffer if we don’t take steps to make St. Louis a more sustainable place,” said Kenyon, who is scheduled to graduate from Washington University in St. Louis in May with a bachelor’s degree in sustainability from the School of Continuing & Professional Studies (formerly University College). “Some of my colleagues call me ‘woke’ for saying things like that. I tell them, if caring for other people makes me woke, then so be it.”
Kenyon, 52, has worked as a mechanic for Metro Transit for more than two decades. He also is a regular rider and a member of its green team. He has lived his entire life within the St. Louis region and loves it here.
“We’ve got so much going for us — the housing stock, the affordability, all eight seasons,” Kenyon deadpanned.
Here, Kenyon shares why he enrolled at WashU and how he hopes to leverage his degree in the next phase of his life.