College of Business to host screening of Beyond Zero documentary
The College of Business will host a special screening of the documentary film “Beyond Zero” at the University Theater on Nov. 7 from 6-8:30 p.m. The event is free and open to all students, faculty, staff and community members. The screening will kick off events for the college’s annual Business Week celebration in which the college hosts events to educate, enrich and elevate the business student experience at Lamar University.
“We are so excited to bring this event to Beaumont. Not only is sustainability a topic that continues to be at the forefront of discussions for the next generations of business leaders that are learning and entering the workforce through the College of Business, but this particular story is surprising in the topics it captures and the emotions it provokes,” said Elizabeth Newman, senior coordinator of marketing and communications for the college who serves as event organizer for the event and all Business Week 2022 activities. “This is a unique opportunity for our students and community. We encourage anyone who is interested in environmental issues, film, and business to join us on Nov. 7.”
The feature-length film chronicles the story of Ray Anderson, visionary leader of the commercial carpet tile and resilient flooring company Interface. Founded in 1973, Anderson saw carpet tile in Europe and wished to bring its potential to modern offices in America. Not only did this start a revolution for the commercial flooring industry, but inspired Anderson to think beyond the constrains of sustainability of the time. As portrayed in the film, Anderson embarks on a high-stakes journey to become a 100% sustainable enterprise. His heroic leadership and the accomplishments in achieving this goal are inspiring to see unfold and serve as an inspiration for organizations at any stage. The film is a call to action that will ignite the human spirit.
The college is hosting this event in partnership with many entities on and off the Lamar University campus. The film screening is sponsored by the Edaren Foundation, founded by Elizabeth and her husband Russ Waddill in honor of her parents Dorothy Anne and C.W. to fund meaningful projects in the areas of the arts, education and the environment. It also is sponsored by Conscious Capitalism Inc., a U.S.-based non-profit organization with the purpose of building a movement in business leaders to improve their practice and perception of capitalism in order to elevate humanity so that people can flourish and lead lives with passion, love and creativity. The screening will take place in the University Theatre which is facilitated at Lamar University by the College of Fine Arts and Communication. Volunteers for the event will be provided by the College of Business and the LU Green Squad.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. with a brief introduction of the film by Russ Waddill of the Edaren Foundation. The film will begin at 6:10 p.m. and a Q&A with the director Nathan Havey and Interface’s Danny Airhart will follow. Havey is the co-founder of the Institute for Corporate Transformation and is also a writer and director for many projects including “Beyond Zero” and the podcast “10 Things You Should Know About Stakeholder Capitalism.” He also co-leads the global consultant certification program for Conscious Capitalism Inc. Airhart serves as regional sales director at Interface in Houston, Texas. Audience members are invited to stay and participate in the discussion following the film.