by Chris Ulmer

While most Penn State graduates will be enjoying one final summer vacation, interning or starting full-time work, William Morgan, a recent graduate, will be cycling across America with four friends in hopes of raising awareness for sustainable living and environmental issues.

“The ecosystem of earth is what motivates us,” said Morgan, who graduated in 2009. “The current culture of America is unsustainable. It systematically pollutes the earth, water and air. Humans cannot go on with infinite growth in a finite world. We are hoping to empower the individual to reconnect to the earth.”

The friends want to connect with people who are already dedicated to their environment during the cross-country trip.

“We are focused on meeting people who are dedicated to the community. These are the people who can make the biggest change,” Morgan said.

The bicyclists will begin in New Jersey, then bike around the Great Lakes, and to the Canadian border. They will ride along the border to Washington, then head south to San Francisco, their final destination. When they arrive in San Francisco, their sustainable lifestyle will have only just begun.

“One option we are hoping for is to live in a permaculture establishment,” explained Morgan. “If this does not work out, we could always settle down in San Francisco.” Permaculture is a method of gardening that mimics nature with edible and medicinal plantings.

Morgan and friends are not concerned with a fairy-tale ending to their story. They are more concerned with showing others it is possible to live sustainably.

“It is not the ending I am concerned with, but the journey,” Morgan declared. “If we are able to empower the individual, then maybe things will start to change.”

The initiative for such a long journey did not sprout up over night. Last year, Morgan was homeless and unemployed. He was lured from Centre County to Boulder, Colo. with the promise of work.

“It did not go according to plan, and I was left with nothing but a bicycle and backpack,” Morgan said. “I was in Boulder for a month and a half without a home. This is when I began living life on the road. During this time I was able to gain confidence that I was capable of biking across America.”

Morgan grew up in the mountains of West Virginia. It was here that he was first introduced to life in the wild.

“I have had a call to the wild you could say,” Morgan said. “Growing up in West Virginia I was surrounded by nature. In a way I have been training for this trip for 23 years.”

While Morgan and his friends will be spreading awareness of sustainability, the group expects this trip will lead to personal growth.

“In a way the journey is the destination,” Morgan said. “This is going to be a great experience that will change our lives forever. In a way you cannot plan for something like this. There are too many things that will come up. This is why we have allotted four months to complete this trip. This way we do not have to be constantly rushing. It will allow us to stop and smell the roses.”

The spirit which Morgan and his friend possess could help prove these naysayers wrong. Morgan quotes Mahatma Gandhi as his inspiration: “Be the change you want to see.”