This article, in the UVM Connection, focuses on the challenges and opportunities the Greening of Aiken has faced over the years. It has taken many years, and the efforts of numerous people to bring this project to "the anticipated cutting the ribbon on the newly green Aiken Center during the 2011-2012 academic year." One of the many exciting parts of the Greening of Aiken is the new entryway to the Aiken Center, where an Eco-Machine will be prominently visible. The Eco-Machine was originally conceived of and designed by Rubenstein School Professor and Gund Fellow John Todd, but in this case it has been designed by Master's student Matt Beam as his thesis project. Beam, who worked closely with John Todd and the architects, was determined to show that "this project was as much about research as it is about waste treatment."