Business and political officials applaud innovative Sustainability Institute Hall

Business and political leaders from across the state and around the country are praising the commitment to the environment and economic benefits of the newly dedicated Golisano Institute for Sustainability at Rochester Institute of Technology.

RIT Honorary Trustee Catherine Carlson: “The way we are going with waste in this country is unsustainable. I am pleased that RIT is in the forefront with this needed direction for our world. This is indeed a vision for our future.”

U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer: “Golisano Institute for Sustainability promises to make not only the Rochester area, but the whole country more efficient, while increasing our productivity, reducing energy consumption, decreasing pollution and improving our economy.”

U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter: “Long before it was common practice, Nabil Nasr (assistant provost and director of the Golisano Institute for Sustainability) looked for ways to improve manufacturing processes to increase efficiency and decrease waste. The positive effects include cost savings for manufacturers and a cleaner environment.”

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand: “As I have seen firsthand, the Golisano Institute for Sustainability will lead the way by merging sustainable development, strong research and education as well as creating new opportunities in high-tech manufacturing.”

New York State Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Morelle: “I don’t think any of this could have been done without Nabil. He sees things other people don’t see. It is fortunate we have been able to keep him in this community.”

New York State Sen. Joseph Robach: “The building will be of tremendous value to RIT, but it will go above and beyond that by creating spinoff jobs, technology and products not only created here but developed here.”

Mark Buckley, vice president of environmental affairs, Staples Inc.: “The Golisano Institute for Sustainability is a unique, world-class facility for sustainable design and product development. Staples is excited to be part of GIS with the Staples Sustainable Innovation Lab, which is an important research hub for the development of sustainable business solutions. This collaboration builds on Staples’ longstanding relationship with RIT and our deep commitment to sustainability in our products and supply chain.”

New York State Sen. Patrick M. Gallivan: “The research, the students, the innovations and the ideas being produced by the Golisano Institute for Sustainability at RIT are changing the way we understand the challenges of the present, while developing the solutions needed for a sustainable and prosperous future in Western New York and across the globe.”

John Batiste, president and CEO of Klein Steel Service Inc.: “The Golisano Institute for Sustainability set Klein Steel up for success through both the Center for Integrated Manufacturing Studies and GIS. Our relationship with CIMS was transformational with respect to lean and quality, setting us up to be designated one of 10 North American IndustryWeek Best Plants in 2011. Recently, both CIMS and GIS are working with us to take a new, high-strength steel to market in Buffalo. Upstate New York businesses are indeed blessed to be supported by RIT and GIS.”

Mark S. Peterson, president and CEO of Greater Rochester Enterprise: “Golisano Institute for Sustainability is a critical component of the Rochester region’s position as a hub of alternative energy innovation. The opportunity for business leaders to collaborate with GIS faculty and students on next-generation sustainable materials helps us attract new companies to our region.”

Mark Stratton, Caterpillar Inc. remanufacturing general manager: “Dr. Nasr is viewed as one of the foremost leaders in the domain of sustainability and remanufacturing. He is highly regarded by industry, government agencies and academia as a leading expert who is able to speak from an independent perspective.”

Niles Barnes, senior programs coordinator for the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education: “The Golisano Institute for Sustainability is another example of RIT’s commitment to engage in multidisciplinary education and the critical importance of working with business and industry to achieve sustainability goals.”

Francis J. Murray Jr., president and CEO, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA): “Innovation through public-private partnerships is critical to Governor Cuomo’s vision for the state’s energy future. NYSERDA is proud to partner with the Golisano Institute for Sustainability and ClearEdge Power (formerly UTC Power) in support of the purchase of advanced fuel-cell technology that will assist in lowering the greenhouse gas emissions of this extraordinary facility.”